Agritourism in Action: The Gamechanger Town Hall at Prairie Gardens

On February 27, 2026, producers, tourism leaders, and community partners gathered at Prairie Gardens in Bon Accord for the 2nd Annual Gamechanger Agritourism Town Hall. The event was hosted by Tam Andersen of Prairie Gardens and organized in collaboration with Strong Coffee Marketing, Go East of Edmonton, ClearThink Group™, and the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association (AFFPA).

From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere reflected what agritourism does best: bringing people together around food, ideas, and shared purpose. The day began with coffee, scones, and informal networking as participants checked in and browsed vendor displays from Pottery by Heather, Reveresque Wines, and Aurora Alpacas. Farmers, tourism operators, municipal representatives, and destination marketing organizations quickly filled the space with conversation and curiosity.

The morning program opened with welcoming remarks before transitioning into a networking roundtable where attendees introduced themselves, their businesses, and what brought them to the event. The mix of perspectives created a lively exchange of ideas and highlighted just how diverse Alberta’s agritourism ecosystem is becoming.

Participants then heard regional updates from industry partners before diving into a professional development session led by Strong Coffee Marketing. Trevor shared practical insights on digital marketing trends and the growing role of artificial intelligence in helping small businesses reach new audiences, streamline marketing efforts, and strengthen their online presence.

Throughout the day, the focus remained on collaboration. One of the most engaging sessions was the Agritourism Town Hall discussion, where producers and stakeholders explored opportunities based on lessons learned from last year’s Farms & Art Scenic Drive collaborative initiative. Facilitated discussions invited participants to reflect on what worked, what could be improved, and where new opportunities might exist. Breakout conversations encouraged attendees to share experiences, identify gaps, and explore ways farms and tourism operators could work together to grow the visitor economy.

A farm-to-table lunch provided by Prairie Gardens offered another moment to connect. Guests enjoyed fresh salads and vegetables grown in a greenhouse just a few meters away, along with locally inspired dishes, while continuing conversations that had started earlier in the day.

Another important component of the day was the AFFPA agritourism survey, which participants were invited to complete. The survey explores the many ways farms engage visitors, from hands-on workshops and farm tours to U-pick experiences, on-farm markets, and storytelling about life on the land. Gathering this information will help AFFPA better understand the challenges and opportunities producers face and guide future programs that support the growth of agritourism across Alberta.

If one theme stood out throughout the day, it was the importance of clusters. Agritourism rarely thrives in isolation. When visitors travel from the city to experience a farm, they rarely stop at just one location. Instead, they explore nearby farms, markets, and experiences. By working together and building regional clusters, farms can create stronger visitor destinations that encourage people to stay longer, discover more businesses, and support the local economy.

This Prairie Gardens gathering also marked the beginning of a broader series of “Let’s Talk Agritourism” Town Halls that AFFPA plans to host across Alberta in partnership with industry leaders and regional organizations. These events are designed to bring producers, tourism partners, and communities together to share ideas and strengthen regional agritourism networks.

If your community is interested in hosting a future town hall, AFFPA welcomes the opportunity to collaborate. Visit the AFFPA website to view the upcoming calendar of events and learn how you can be part of Alberta’s growing agritourism movement.

Because when farmers work together, the whole countryside becomes a destination.