About 30 years ago, Laura Lee Henderson and her husband John started White Treasure Farm in Red Deer County and filled it with Angoras and La Mancha goats.
“We always wanted to live in the country,” Henderson said.
“My husband was raised in the country – he raised on a farm. When we bought the place, we were interested in sheep, but then we came across these Angoras goats at an old-time sheep fair. … We fell in love with them.”
The farm, located near Spruce View, west of Innisfail, will show people what rural life is like this weekend during Alberta Open Farm Days.
Alberta Open Farm Days is a provincewide, two-day event that gives Albertans an opportunity to experience the farm and understand where their food comes from.
“It is a backstage pass to meet the farmer, experience Ag-tourism in Alberta and taste local foods direct from the producer,” the Alberta Open Farm Days website explains.
The ninth annual Alberta Open Farm Days will be held Saturday and Sunday – some participating farms will only be open for one day and others will be open for both.
“Our goal is to showcase Alberta’s agriculture and tourism industry in a fun, engaging and meaningful manner to participants of all ages,” the website said.
White Treasure Farm (located at 36347 Range Road 23) will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Henderson said the weekend provides a great opportunity to teach people about what life is like on a farm.
“We’ve done (Open Farm Days) every year that they’ve had it,” she said.
“It’s a fun time. People come out and see what country life is like. Some of these young kids who come out don’t have a clue what’s out on a farm. Education is important and meeting the people is great.”
The Red Deer County farm will have sales tables for plants, mohair socks, saddle bags, hides and raw fibre. There will also be demonstrations of spinning, washing and cleaning of fibre, in addition to the viewing of animals, along with the history, care information and answers to any other questions provided.
For more information on Alberta Open Farm Days, and to see what other local farms are participating, visit www.albertaopenfarmdays.ca.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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