Albertans are being encouraged to meet the people behind their food this weekend as Alberta Open Farms Days takes place tomorrow and Sunday.

Nearly 150 experiences are available across the province, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at Alberta agriculture.

Farms, ranches and food producers will open their gates, offering everything from guided tours and hands-on activities to local food experiences.

This year's theme is Rangelands and Pastoralists.

Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Tara Sawyer is encouraging everyone to get out, buy local and take the time to meet the people behind the food we enjoy.”

Everyone can also support local producers through more than 150 approved farmers markets and numerous farm-direct businesses across the province.

Open Farm Days runs Saturday and Sunday.

Agriculture takes centre stage near Fort St. John this weekend as the 79th annual North Peace Fall Fair gets underway.

Running Friday through Sunday, the old-time agricultural fair celebrates the farming and ranching roots of the North Peace.

Visitors can take in cattle, horse, sheep and goat shows, along with agricultural exhibits and demonstrations throughout the weekend.

The tractor pull is also back, giving visitors a chance to see some of the machinery that helped build agriculture in the region.

The fair brings together producers, exhibitors and families while showcasing livestock, crops, equipment and rural traditions.

Agricultural producers, industry organizations and non-profits in B.C.'s Peace Region have until the end of August to apply for the latest round of funding through the BC Hydro Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund.

The fund supports projects aimed at strengthening agricultural production and agrifood economic activity across the Peace.

Funding is available in three areas: farming infrastructure, events and educational initiatives, and research and demonstration projects.

The fund was established by BC Hydro as part of the Site C Agricultural Mitigation and Compensation Plan and is administered by the Northern Development Initiative Trust.

Farmers spend a lot of time choosing the right crop protection products, but a Lakeland College researcher says they should also pay attention to the water they are using during spray.

Cereal research scientist Dr. Balwinder Kumar says water hardness, pH and other factors can affect how well herbicides and fungicides perform.

“So the main crux is like, don't guess water quality, just send it to the lab. Or at least you, you like, there are some strip pads available in the market, buy those strip pads for hardness, pH, then we can test.”

Kumar says water quality can vary significantly between municipal, well and dugout sources, potentially affecting results even when producers use the same products.

He hopes to develop more research around water quality, with the goal of helping producers get more from every dollar they spend.

On this episode of the RRC podcast, host Craig Lester chats with our meteorologist, David Spence, about the weather - some of it wet, some of it dry, and something we're all talking about. And when the weather is rainy and wet, that's good for faba beans. Robyne Davidson, RDAR Pulse Research Scientist at Lakeland College, explains things to consider when you're growing fava beans. Finally, we head to Stavely, Alberta, for a field day with the team at Cudlobe Angus and Cudlobe West Ranches.

A company that allows consumers to invest directly in agriculture and agricultural production is preparing to expand its model into Canada, offering farmers an alternative source of operating capital.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence shares insight on this week's weather forecasts across Alberta, the B.C. Peace region, and the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan area.