Are you curious about where your food comes from? Are you interested in learning about sustainable farming practices? Want to indulge in meals featuring local flavours and fresh ingredients? Attend a unique farming event at Open Farm Days 2023 in Kingston and Frontenac County.
Open Farm Days is an annual showcase of farms and local producers in the Kingston and Frontenac County region. This year’s events occur from September 1 to October 15, 2023. There are over 20 farm and culinary experiences, farmers’ markets, and educational activities for you to participate in. Please note that some events are drop-in and free of charge, while others require registration and the purchase of tickets..
Let’s explore some of the events you can expect at Open Farm Days 2023.
Culinary events
Many Kingston restaurants and breweries use products supplied from farms in Frontenac County. Learn more about your foods’ origin while indulging in the region’s flavours.
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Haymakers Coffee Co. Roasting Tours
September 1–3, 6–10, 13–17, 20–24, & 27–30 and October 1, 4–8, & 11–15 (various times)
Take a trip to Wolfe Island to experience a Haymakers Coffee Co. Roasting Tour. On a one-hour tour, you’ll learn about the coffee roasting process and brew your own delicious cup of Haymakers coffee. Haymakers Coffee Co. is situated on the grounds of what was once one of Ontario’s largest dairy farms, with breathtaking field landscapes and water views.
A twist on a Classic Lunch Tour with Kingston Food Tour’s Heather Ford
September 10 & 17 (11 am)
Kingston Food Tours is offering a twist on the Classic Kingston Lunch tour. On a local-centric extended tour, you’ll meet Frontenac County growers and producers who will share their stories and connections to Kingston restaurants. You’ll sample some of their produce on specially curated menus at Kingston restaurants, including Feast On® certified Dianne’s Fish Shack & Smokehouse and Atomica Kitchen & Cocktails. You’ll also go home with your own gift box filled with Frontenac County and Kingston goods.
Extend your Open Farm Days experience in Kingston with a customized package including an overnight stay at Green Acres Inn, two tickets to the Classic Kingston Lunch tour with a twist, a $100 Visa gift card, and a curated local producer gift.
From Farm to Cidery at Hard Way Cider Co.
October 1 (11 am or 2 pm)
Hard Way Cider Co., in collaboration with Otter Creek Kitchen, is excited to present a brunch event, From Farm to Cidery. Enjoy a four-course, all-local menu with cider pairings (plus a brand-new cider release). You can expect an Otter Creek Farms Wagyu short rib patty melt, Red Fife French toast, and more!
Farm experiences
Visit a local farm to learn more about growing, harvesting, and farm life! Wander through flower fields, grazing animals, and an urban microgreens farm.
Maple Ridge Farm Tour, Beekeeping Experience, & Flower Experience
Various dates and times in September
Maple Ridge Farm, located in Sydenham, offers many different farm experiences for Open Farm Days 2023. On a Walking Farm Tour, immerse yourself in the sights of Maple Ridge Farm. Offered on September 2 and 16, you’ll get to talk with a farmer and experience day-to-day farm life. If you love honey, attend their Beekeeping Experience on September 3, where you’ll get to be hands-on with a honeybee hive and the local beekeeper. Also on September 3, harvest your flowers at Maple Ridge Farm’s flower fields and learn how to turn your blooms into a stunning hand-tied bouquet through their Flower Experience.
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Collective Joy Farm All-Season Farm Drop-In
October 7 (11 am – 4 pm)
Visit downtown Kingston’s urban farm, Collective Joy Farm, for an All-Season Farm Drop-In. Join Tammara to learn about vertical farming and sustainable greens production methods. Take home a starter kit to grow your own greens at home.
Culinary experiences on the farm
Attend a farm-to-table event hosted at one of Frontenac County’s farms. Witness the journey from soil to plate as ingredients transform into delectable dishes and beverages.
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From Farm-to-Brewer: The Hopyard Experiential Tour
September 8 (5 – 6:45 pm) & 10 (12:30 – 2:15 pm or 3 – 4:45 pm)
Have you had the chance to explore a hop farm? Pay a visit to the Wolfe Island Hopyard for their From Farm-to-Brewer: The Hopyard Experiential Tour. Experience the harvest process of the 20-foot-high hop plants, sample a variety of beer made with the hops, and dig into a delicious burger from the Wolfe Island Hotel.
Long Road Ecological Farm Tour & Lunch
September 9 (11 am)
Join Long Road Ecological Farm for a farm tour and lunch in Harrowsmith. Learn how they grow food and have developed a viable farming business while touring the farm’s garden, greenhouse, animals, and forest. Conclude the tour with a delightful Farm Sum lunch featuring steamed buns, dumplings, and fresh salad.
Community and educational events
Come together with farmers and businesses from Kingston and Frontenac County to delve into the world of local agriculture. Build a sense of community while attending a fall market, harvest festival, or plowing competition.
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Sun Harvest Greenhouse Fall Market
September 9 (10 am – 4 pm)
Famous for their cut-your-own flower fields and greenhouse tomatoes, Sun Harvest Greenhouse is opening up their greenhouse for the Fall Market. Adorned with autumn-inspired decorations, their greenhouse will host local vendors selling handcrafted crafts and delectable food items.
Perry Farms at Food Less Travelled
September 9 (10 am – 4 pm)
Pay a visit to Food Less Travelled in Verona to meet livestock from Perry Farm. At this free event, you’ll meet cattle, calves, bulls, donkeys, and maybe a few pigs from Harrowsmith’s Perry Farm! Bring your family and friends to participate in roping demonstrations.
Frontenac County Plowing Match
September 10 (10 am – 3 pm)
Meet the plowmen of the Frontenac County Plowmen’s Association as they show off their skills to achieve the best plowed land at the Frontenac County Plowing Match. There are activities for all ages; enjoy a wagon ride, musical performances, artisan displays, cow milking, delicious food and much more!
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Elements Fall Harvest Festival
September 20 (10 am – 4 pm)
Elements Fitness and Wellness welcomes visitors to their all-ages Fall Harvest Festival in Sydenham. The day will be full of hands-on experiences on the farm and in the garden, delicious food, interactive crafts, games, and outdoor activities. Learn more about organic no-till gardening, regenerative farming and food storage.
Meet a Farmer
September 20 (7 – 9 pm)
Curious about the life of a farmer? Attend Meet a Farmer in Sydenham to connect with numerous Frontenac County farmers. Hear about their successes, lessons learned, and motivations in their farming pursuits. Bring your farming questions for the Q&A session.
Farmers’ markets
Open Farm Days 2023 supports four farmers’ markets in the region. During September and October, these markets sell bountiful hauls of produce, meats, dairy products, homemade baked goods, artisan crafts, and much more.
Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market
Sundays (9 am – 2 pm)
Kingston’s Memorial Centre is home to the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market, a 100% producer-run, year-round market. Everything available for purchase comes from within approximately 100 km of the market. The market runs every Sunday and is outdoors from May to October. The market will host a Mini-Oktoberfest on October 10 with a beer garden and themed games.
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The Market at the Wolfe Island Commons
Saturdays (9 am – 12:30 pm)
Take the ferry from Kingston to Wolfe Island for The Market at the Wolfe Island Commons. Every Saturday until October 7, local farmers and producers gather on the water’s edge of Wolfe Island to celebrate community and good food.
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Frontenac Farmers’ Market
Fridays (3 – 7 pm)
The Frontenac Farmers’ Market is open in Harrowsmith until October, with over 30 vendors and live music. They will host the Open Farm Days 2023 Launch on September 1 and an Octoberfest celebration on October 13.
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Sharbot Lake Farmers’ Market
Saturdays (9 am – noon)
Check out the Sharbot Lake Farmers’ Market, hosted in the picturesque village of Sharbot Lake. This market runs until the end of September and attracts a variety of vendors from the Frontenac County region.
For a complete list of events and to secure your tickets, visit the Open Farm Days 2023 website.
