Farm Tour and Business Diversification Workshop at Wild Country Gardens
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You’re Invited to a Farm Tour and Farm Business Diversification Workshop at Wild Country Gardens on August 10th, 2025!
Join us for a day of learning, good food, and community connection at Wild Country Gardens in Wildwood, Alberta! Tucked into a scenic forested landscape on Treaty 6 Territory, this unique orchard, garden, and value-add operation will open its gates for a farm tour, workshop on farm business diversification and potluck lunch.
Whether you’re an active or aspiring farmer, this is a wonderful opportunity to explore a vibrant, established agroforestry system, learn from experienced farmers about how to build out a diversified farming business, and build relationships with others passionate about growing food and stewarding land. The event will focus on how Wild Country Gardens transforms their vegetables and orchard fruit into products for many audiences and how they bring in additional farm income through hosting on-farm events.
Paulette and Rennie Sparks, owners and operators of Wild Country Gardens have built a thriving farm business that features:
-A 2,800-tree fruit orchard, artfully integrated into the landscape through hedgerows, rock gardens, and along driveways—offering both ecological and aesthetic value.
-A garlic patch with ~2,500 heads of Purple Stripe garlic.
-A vegetable garden with new no-till beds in development.
-A commercial kitchen and on-farm store, where the farm’s produce is transformed into jams, preserves, smoothie mixes, and freeze-dried snacks.
-Freeze-dried fruit and candy products, sold on-site and in 10 local stores.
-Agritourism, including an on-farm store and hosting weddings.
With over a decade of experience and an eye for building out a diversified farm income, Paulette and her crew have built a small but mighty business—proving that thoughtfully managed farms can thrive in rural Alberta.
What to expect:
We’ll start the day with a tour of the beautiful orchard and gardens at Wild Country Gardens, and then gather for a delicious potluck lunch. After lunch, join us for a farm diversification workshop that will include a fruit and garlic production overview, and look at how they have successfully grown their business by transforming produce into value-added shelf-stable products on their farm.
Come see what a thriving, diversified farm looks like when rooted in community, creativity, and care for the land. Bring your curiosity and farm diversification questions!
WHEN: August 10, 2025, 10am – 3pm
LOCATION: Treaty 6 Territory | Wild Country Gardens | 10118 TWP 550, Wildwood, Alberta
REGISTER: Please register as space for this event is limited: https://youngagrarians.org/aug-10-2025-wildwood-ab-farm-tour-and-biz-diversification-workshop-at-wild-country-gardens/
SCHEDULE (times are approximate):
10:00am Arrival and check-in
10:30am intro Circle
11:00am Farm Tour
12:30pm Potluck Lunch
1:30pm Farm Diversification Workshop
2:30pm Self tour, shopping
3:00pm Departure
BRING: Please bring a dish to share. You are invited to bring a food item to contribute to the potluck. If you can, please include a little card with ingredients, for folks with food sensitivities. Please bring fully prepared dishes only. Coolers are available for cold items.
Bring a water bottle, and any sunscreen and insect repellant you might need. Make sure to wear weather and farm-suitable clothing and footwear. There are picnic tables, a seating area and nice, clean outhouses onsite.
ACCESSIBILITY: If you have any accessibility needs, please get in touch with us at c3RldmVuIHwgeW91bmdhZ3JhcmlhbnMgISBvcmc=.
ABOUT Wild Country Gardens
Wild Country Gardens is made up of a fruit orchard, vegetable garden, garlic patch and an On Farm Store, all of which is nestled in a beautiful forested area near Wildwood, Alberta, just off of Yellowhead Highway.
Their orchard consists of over 2800 fruit trees and bushes, all planted by them over the last 14 years. The gardens feature approximately 2500 heads of garlic (Purple Stripe, Purple Mable, and Persian Star varieties ) which they offer for sale in the fall. The produce they grow is harvested and transformed into products sold in their on-farm store. Their farm houses a commercial kitchen and three freeze driers that they use to produce and process their vegetables, fruits and herbs. They offer freeze dried ice cream snacks and candy, that you can find in several local stores.
Website: https://www.wildcountrygardens.ca/
Instagram: @wildcountrygardens
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildcounrtygardens/
This public event is part of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program (YAAP). The program matches energetic new entrants with paid opportunities on farms. These farms are committed to helping train the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Farmers and apprentices participating in the program are invited to learn more about agriculture through networking and community building events like this one.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
-This event is free and open to everyone! Supervised children are welcome
-Please leave furry friends at home
-Please stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms
-Please wash your shoes before visiting the farm, especially if you work on or have visited a farm recently
-Please do not bring alcohol to this event
-Please share this event with other producers who may be interested!
Stay in Touch
-Sign up for our e-newsletter to get events and opportunities for your region delivered straight to your inbox. https://youngagrarians.org/newsletter/
-Join our Young Agrarians Alberta Facebook Group to stay up to date with all events in the region. https://www.facebook.com/groups/youngagrariansalberta
-We welcome cancellations at any time – you can do so through Eventbrite, through the link in your registration confirmation email, or by contacting Lourdes at cHJhaXJpZXNuZXR3b3JrIHwgeW91bmdhZ3JhcmlhbnMgISBvcmc=. Please let us know if you aren’t able to attend.
-Questions about the event? Email Steve Olsen at c3RldmUgfCB5b3VuZ2FncmFyaWFucyAhIG9yZw==
-Need help on the day of the event? You can contact Steven or Carolyn Ross at bWFuYWdlciB8IGVsbGlzbmF0dXJlY2VudHJlICEgY2E= or at (403) 506-0965
Get Tickets
Join us for a day of learning, good food, and community connection at Wild Country Gardens in Wildwood, Alberta! Tucked into a scenic forested landscape on Treaty 6 Territory, this unique orchard, garden, and value-add operation will open its gates for a farm tour, workshop on farm business diversification and potluck lunch.
Whether you’re an active or aspiring farmer, this is a wonderful opportunity to explore a vibrant, established agroforestry system, learn from experienced farmers about how to build out a diversified farming business, and build relationships with others passionate about growing food and stewarding land. The event will focus on how Wild Country Gardens transforms their vegetables and orchard fruit into products for many audiences and how they bring in additional farm income through hosting on-farm events.
Paulette and Rennie Sparks, owners and operators of Wild Country Gardens have built a thriving farm business that features:
-A 2,800-tree fruit orchard, artfully integrated into the landscape through hedgerows, rock gardens, and along driveways—offering both ecological and aesthetic value.
-A garlic patch with ~2,500 heads of Purple Stripe garlic.
-A vegetable garden with new no-till beds in development.
-A commercial kitchen and on-farm store, where the farm’s produce is transformed into jams, preserves, smoothie mixes, and freeze-dried snacks.
-Freeze-dried fruit and candy products, sold on-site and in 10 local stores.
-Agritourism, including an on-farm store and hosting weddings.
With over a decade of experience and an eye for building out a diversified farm income, Paulette and her crew have built a small but mighty business—proving that thoughtfully managed farms can thrive in rural Alberta.
What to expect:
We’ll start the day with a tour of the beautiful orchard and gardens at Wild Country Gardens, and then gather for a delicious potluck lunch. After lunch, join us for a farm diversification workshop that will include a fruit and garlic production overview, and look at how they have successfully grown their business by transforming produce into value-added shelf-stable products on their farm.
Come see what a thriving, diversified farm looks like when rooted in community, creativity, and care for the land. Bring your curiosity and farm diversification questions!
WHEN: August 10, 2025, 10am – 3pm
LOCATION: Treaty 6 Territory | Wild Country Gardens | 10118 TWP 550, Wildwood, Alberta
REGISTER: Please register as space for this event is limited: https://youngagrarians.org/aug-10-2025-wildwood-ab-farm-tour-and-biz-diversification-workshop-at-wild-country-gardens/
SCHEDULE (times are approximate):
10:00am Arrival and check-in
10:30am intro Circle
11:00am Farm Tour
12:30pm Potluck Lunch
1:30pm Farm Diversification Workshop
2:30pm Self tour, shopping
3:00pm Departure
BRING: Please bring a dish to share. You are invited to bring a food item to contribute to the potluck. If you can, please include a little card with ingredients, for folks with food sensitivities. Please bring fully prepared dishes only. Coolers are available for cold items.
Bring a water bottle, and any sunscreen and insect repellant you might need. Make sure to wear weather and farm-suitable clothing and footwear. There are picnic tables, a seating area and nice, clean outhouses onsite.
ACCESSIBILITY: If you have any accessibility needs, please get in touch with us at c3RldmVuIHwgeW91bmdhZ3JhcmlhbnMgISBvcmc=.
ABOUT Wild Country Gardens
Wild Country Gardens is made up of a fruit orchard, vegetable garden, garlic patch and an On Farm Store, all of which is nestled in a beautiful forested area near Wildwood, Alberta, just off of Yellowhead Highway.
Their orchard consists of over 2800 fruit trees and bushes, all planted by them over the last 14 years. The gardens feature approximately 2500 heads of garlic (Purple Stripe, Purple Mable, and Persian Star varieties ) which they offer for sale in the fall. The produce they grow is harvested and transformed into products sold in their on-farm store. Their farm houses a commercial kitchen and three freeze driers that they use to produce and process their vegetables, fruits and herbs. They offer freeze dried ice cream snacks and candy, that you can find in several local stores.
Website: https://www.wildcountrygardens.ca/
Instagram: @wildcountrygardens
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildcounrtygardens/
This public event is part of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program (YAAP). The program matches energetic new entrants with paid opportunities on farms. These farms are committed to helping train the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Farmers and apprentices participating in the program are invited to learn more about agriculture through networking and community building events like this one.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
-This event is free and open to everyone! Supervised children are welcome
-Please leave furry friends at home
-Please stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms
-Please wash your shoes before visiting the farm, especially if you work on or have visited a farm recently
-Please do not bring alcohol to this event
-Please share this event with other producers who may be interested!
Stay in Touch
-Sign up for our e-newsletter to get events and opportunities for your region delivered straight to your inbox. https://youngagrarians.org/newsletter/
-Join our Young Agrarians Alberta Facebook Group to stay up to date with all events in the region. https://www.facebook.com/groups/youngagrariansalberta
-We welcome cancellations at any time – you can do so through Eventbrite, through the link in your registration confirmation email, or by contacting Lourdes at cHJhaXJpZXNuZXR3b3JrIHwgeW91bmdhZ3JhcmlhbnMgISBvcmc=. Please let us know if you aren’t able to attend.
-Questions about the event? Email Steve Olsen at c3RldmUgfCB5b3VuZ2FncmFyaWFucyAhIG9yZw==
-Need help on the day of the event? You can contact Steven or Carolyn Ross at bWFuYWdlciB8IGVsbGlzbmF0dXJlY2VudHJlICEgY2E= or at (403) 506-0965
Get Tickets
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