Leduc, AB (Rural Roots Canada) – At the Alberta Agricultural Service Board Conference, producers and industry leaders gathered to talk about resiliency in agriculture, including how agritourism can be an opportunity for farmers to strengthen both farm income and community ties.

Chatworth Farm‘s Charlotte Wasylyk was among the presenters, sharing how her family near Vermilion, Alberta, turned online engagement into on-farm experiences that help bridge the gap between consumers and producers.

“The first thing was just getting our name out there, and that was through the virtual farm tours that we started doing in 2020,” she explains. “Because without the people and the viewers saying that we want to come and visit your farm, I don’t think it would have happened, or it would have taken us a little bit longer for it to happen.“

That virtual outreach during the pandemic has since grown into in-person tours, farm-to-table events, and participation in Alberta Open Farm Days. Wsylyk said these initiatives not only boost awareness but also provide additional income streams that help the overall operation.

RELATED: Record-Setting Year for Alberta Open Farm Days 

She told delegates that planning and communication are key when introducing agritourism to a family-run farm. Events must be built around existing workloads, like calving or harvest, and success depends on managing costs and relying on volunteers.

Wasylyk believe the agritourism trend is gaining ground across the province.

“Agritourism in Alberta is just growing, and it’s starting to get a real momentum to it,” she says. “I think that’s so important because every farm has a different way to share what they do in a very meaningful and memorable way.”

She says diversification is critical to building both economic and environmental sustainability in agriculture, and that even small steps, such as tours or direct-to-consumer sales, can help farms remain viable for the next generation.