It’s Year 52 of Farmfair International in Edmonton, and the list of activities and events is staggering. 4-H presentations. A canine celebration. Barn tours. Tasting opportunities. Chances to create and appreciate art. A rural singles mixer. Student field trips. Halls filled with exhibits from vendors and sponsors. There truly is something for everyone, as there should be. The event is one of the largest staged at the Edmonton Expo Centre each year, and admission is free. Leah Jones, Farmfair International’s director, said the event gives people a chance to learn about the business of agriculture. “This is a nice opportunity for people to come and learn about where their food comes from, to learn about the business of agriculture,” Jones told CTV News Edmonton on Thursday, Day 1 of the fair, which runs through Sunday. Farmfair is also a place where business gets done, Jones said, pointing to the presence of “a lot of international guests and delegates.” For example, Farmfair agriculture education specialist Patty Milligan said Edmonton is known as an international hub for the beef industry, attracting breeders from across Canada and around the world. “I believe the area around Edmonton has the highest concentration of cow-calf producers in the whole country, and Alberta has between a third and a half of Canada’s beef herd, so it’s definitely a place where people are raising top quality animals,” Milligan said. “Farmfair is a place where a lot of business connections are cultivated (and) a lot of sales are made. A lot of trade missions come here.” With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Noah Rishaug
