Aggie Days turns 40 showcasing agricultural and free family fun

Hand-on learning about farm life: Children interact with animals & food producers at Aggie Days. Tyler Barrow reports.

The Calgary Stampede brought the farm to the heart of Calgary Saturday, as Aggie Days turned 40.

The free event, which is at the Nutrien Western Event Centre and Agriculture Barn, is on from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, featuring hands-on activities and interactive exhibits -- and the opportunity to get up close to actual farm animals.

For Kelsey Sayer, a farmer who was there with her son Caleb, Aggie Days is a chance for city kids to learn about farm life and for kids like Caleb to learn how to fall in love with it.

“Its such a unique thing being on a farm, having livestock – but not even that, just getting to experience seeing where your food comes from, what life is like outside of the city, in a little glimpse of the way Aggie Days can bring,” Kelsey said.

“My kids were very excited to come back and see the milking of a cow and getting to experience that.”

Caleb, 8, agreed with his mom.

“I watch animals and like to learn about farm safety‚” he said. “It’s fun. I get to learn and experience living on a farm.”

“Aggie Days is to let people from the city how and where their food comes from. A lot of people are far far removed from the farm, so they don’t’ know what is involved in producing their meat, their vegetables, their milk, their eggs,” said Brian Gross, the chair of the agriculture division subcommittee.

“You can see that here,” he said. “There’s the only place in the city – other than Stampede in summertime – where you can get up close and see farm animals and their babies.

“Not close enough to touch,” he added. :But you can get right up close and meet them."

Renate Weller, who is dean of the faculty of veterinarian medicine at the U of C, said her department is partnering with the Stampede on a science competition this June for students between Grade 9 and 12.

“Any kid interested in animal health, technology, or agriculture, come and join it,” Weller said. “You will find info on Stampede webpage.”

Aggie Days continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, go here.

With files from CTV’s Tyler Barrow