As a producer, your “office” is thousands of acres of soil, a bustling calving pen, or a high-tech greenhouse. You know the hard work that goes into every bushel of grain and what it takes to raise each animal, but does the average person in Regina or Saskatoon? With more people than ever looking to “shop local” and understand where their food comes from, Saskatchewan Open Farm Days, August 8-9, 2026 is your opportunity to lead the conversation.
If you’ve been on the fence about hosting, here are five reasons why opening your farm gate is a win for your business and our industry.
1. Build Direct-to-Consumer Sales
Whether you sell honey, Saskatoon berries, craft spirits, or beef, Open Farm Days puts a face to the products. When a visitor sees the level of care you give to the land, they aren’t just buying a product; they’re buying your story. It’s the most effective way to build a loyal customer base that will seek out your products in grocery stores year-round.
Since the initiative’s inception in 2024, Joan Hepting of Seven Meadows Farm in Regina Beach has seen this impact firsthand. As a proud host, she notes that the event is a vital bridge between the field and the fork:
“Open Farm Days is an excellent opportunity for visitors to experience firsthand a wide variety of unique and traditional farms across Saskatchewan,” says Hepting. “It’s an opportunity for people to interact with farmers, to see what they do, to ask questions, learn about where food comes from and the labour of love that goes into producing it.”
For producers like Seven Meadows Farm, this direct interaction is the perfect stage to showcase the quality of local agriculture—from vine-ripened produce to value-added goods like Spiced Roasted Tomato Sauce or a crisp glass of locally made Hard Apple Cider. By inviting the public onto your farm, you aren’t just selling a snack; you’re cultivating a community.
2. Dip your toes in, or spread the word about what you are already doing!
Saskatchewan Open Farm Days provides an opportunity for you to pilot welcoming guests to your location, with support and tools in your pocket. Hosts can choose to participate on both dates of the event or a single day during the event weekend of August 8-9, 2026. By hosting, you help bridge the growing gap between field and fork. You have the power to dispel myths about modern farming and show the public the incredible technology and sustainable practices used in Saskatchewan today.
Already established in welcoming guests to your business? Saskatchewan Open Farm Days is free to participate in and can help you reach new audiences and markets. With the resources we provide, you have an opportunity to trial a new experience, or refine current offerings over the 2-day event.
3. Free resources, toolkits, courses and marketing.
As a host, you have access to a library full of case studies, a robust event handbook, signage, safety considerations and more to help you plan a weekend for the memory book. From building a farm tour to promoting it, we have tools ready to support you throughout the planning journey.
When you register as a host, we provide:
- Marketing: Your farm will be featured on our interactive provincial map, included in our paid social media campaigns, and promoted to regional media outlets. It’s a level of exposure that would cost thousands of dollars to replicate on your own.
- Event Insurance: To help manage the liability of hosting guests, we’ve partnered with an insurance provider to offer comprehensive event coverage.
- Permit Support: From food service to highway signage, we help you navigate the logistics. We work directly with the SHA, SLGA, RCMP, and municipalities to simplify the process—guiding you through your specific requirements while we handle the rest.
- No toilets? No problem! We provide a $200 porta-potty stipend to help cover the costs of a toilet rental or construction for the event.
4. Inspiring the Next Generation
Saskatchewan Open Farm Days offers a unique bridge between the dinner table and the field, providing an opportunity for youth and families to reconnect with the land. In a world where the gap between consumers and producers is growing, seeing firsthand how food is grown right here in Saskatchewan is a powerful educational experience.
Agriculture today is a high-tech, diverse industry that needs fresh talent and curious minds. By visiting a local farm, young people can see that a career in agriculture isn’t just one thing, it’s a world of possibilities. Shelby Longworth, Provincial Programs Manager for 4-H Saskatchewan, emphasizes that these hands-on experiences are where the magic happens:
“Engaging youth in the agriculture sector lets us witness the next generation of leaders in action. Their passion, creativity, and willingness to take risks make the future of agriculture truly exciting. By creating opportunities for them to shine, we can help them grow and succeed. Our 4-H clubs exhibit this by allowing our members to ‘learn to do by doing’ and take action in agriculture in a fun, hands-on learning environment.”
When families step onto a farm during Open Farm Days, they aren’t just visitors, they are future neighbour’s, employees, and informed consumers. By fostering this connection early, we ensure that the next generation appreciates the hard work behind their meals and perhaps even finds their own calling within the industry.
Shelby Longworth notes, when we provide the space for youth to engage, we are investing in the “next generation of leaders” who will keep Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry thriving and sustainable for years to come.
5. Strengthen Your Community
Open Farm Days creates a serious buzz, and the numbers back it up. While the weekend is a celebration of rural pride, it’s also a powerful economic driver. Saskatchewan is already an agricultural powerhouse, our exports hit a record $20.2 billion in 2023, accounting for 40% of the province’s total exports.
By opening your gates, you’re tapping into a massive global trend. Agritourism is booming; the global market is projected to grow from $65.6 billion to $176.6 billion by 2038. Here at home, Canada’s agritourism sector is on track to more than double to $1.8 billion by 2028, creating over 140,000 jobs across the country.
When urban neighbors visit your farm, they aren’t just learning about food, they’re supporting local gas stations, cafes, and neighboring small businesses. Your participation helps turn “hidden gems” into vital contributors to the provincial economy.
*Data Source: Destination Canada: https://dd.destinationcanada.com/en-ca/case-study/field-fork-sk-mb-agritourism
Ready to join the movement? Host registration is open until April 1, 2026. Join dozens of other producers across the province in making 2026 our biggest year yet.