Factors Affecting Agritourism Development in the Foothills CONTEXT

This resource includes high-level insights on the political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, and environmental context.

The short report provides existing and prospective agritourism industry members the needed context to understand agritourism development as it pertains to businesses in the Foothills region.

POLITICAL 3

ECONOMIC 5

SOCIOCULTURAL 8

TECHNOLOGICAL 11

LEGAL 14

ENVIRONMENTAL 20

Contents for this resource draw from Foothills Tourism Association’s summary report on agritourism as a growth opportunity. For more information, please refer to the report or contact Foothills Tourism Association.

2 POLITICAL

The Foothills is comprised of multiple a not-for-profit government corporation municipalities including the of Bragg made up of elected officials from the 10 Creek in at its northern member municipalities of the tip, the Town of Nanton and the surrounding Metropolitan Region. It was established area of the Municipal District of Willow Creek in 2018 through the CMRB Regulation No. 26 as its southern tip, the mountains to under the Municipal Government Act, and the west, and Highway 2 to the east. four of its member municipalities include , Rocky View County, the This means the area is Town of , and the Town of . The mandate of the corporation is comprised of three municipal to “support the long-term sustainability districts or counties, six urban of the Calgary Metropolitan Region by municipal governments, and two 1) Ensuring environmentally responsible First Nations reserves. land-use planning, growth management and efficient use of land; 2) Developing These 11 municipal jurisdictions include: policies regarding the coordination Rocky View County, Foothills County, the of regional infrastructure investment Municipal District of Willow Creek No.26, and service delivery; 3) Promoting the as well as the towns of Nanton, Okotoks, economic wellbeing and competitiveness High River, , Black Diamond, of the Calgary Metropolitan Region; and 4) the Village of Longview, Eden Valley Developing policies outlining how the Board Bearspaw First Nation (which forms part of shall engage the public in consultation.” Stoney Nakoda Nation), and Tsuut’ina First Nation including the townsite of Redwood In 2018, the Calgary Metropolitan Region Meadows. Within the Foothills, Foothills Board, released its Interim Growth Plan, County encompasses most of the area, pending the approval of its 2021 Growth including which encompasses most of the & Servicing Plans. These plans were Foothills, includes the hamlets of Aldersyde, developed to serve as a best-practice Cayley, De Winton, Hartell, , guide for achieving long-term prosperity , Naptha, Priddis, and Priddis in the Calgary Metropolitan Region by Greens. providing policies and high-level guidance The Calgary Metropolitan Region Board is to member municipalities including: 1)

3 Residential, commercial and industrial Plan and Servicing Plan. These plans are land use; 2) Corridors for transportation, important to consider when planning for recreation, energy transmission, utilities the development of agritourism activities in and transit; 3) Infrastructure planning the Foothills as member municipalities will and development; 4) Water quality, need to align their strategies and plans to water use and management (including these documents, noting that non-member flood mitigation); and 5) Environmental municipalities may not be required to align sustainability and the conservation of with their strategies and plans. Relevant agricultural lands. Importantly, these plans non-member municipalities include the are aligned with policies of the South towns of Black Diamond, Turner Valley, Saskatchewan Regional Plan and any parent Nanton, the Village of Longview, and the policy documents, the Land-use Municipal District of Willow Creek No. 26. Framework and enacting legislation, and When planning for the development of the Alberta Land Stewardship Act. agritourism, it is important to consider where development is occurring in the Foothills as The Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth different municipalities will have different Plan (2021) and Calgary Metropolitan goals, strategies, regulations, and bylaws Region Servicing Plan (2021) were finalized that will impact agritourism development. In and approved by the Calgary Metropolitan other words, having a clear understanding Region Board in May 2021. They have been of the jurisdictional landscape is key to the submitted to the Minister of Municipal success of agritourism development in the Affairs for review, and if approved by the Foothills. Minister, will replace the Interim Growth

4 ECONOMIC

In 2017, Calgary Economic Development—a for the Calgary Metropolitan Region.” The not-for-profit corporation funded by the plan identifies driver industries that are City of Calgary, community partners, expected to lead employment growth in the other orders of government, and the immediate term (1-2 years), short term (3-5 private sector—released an Agribusiness years), medium term (6-10 years), and long Value Chain Study. The study identifies term (11-20 years). agritourism activities as growth opportunities for the local economy. More More specifically, specifically, it mentions the opportunity the plan identifies four driver of building and expanding the distillery, brewery, and micro-brewery base of the city industries that are connected to and its surrounding area, as well as scaling agritourism and are expected to agritourism through craft beer tours, and lead employment growth in the promotions with premiere restaurants as years to come. examples. The study identifies the interest of Canadian and Albertan travellers in In the immediate term, this includes value participating in agritourism activities as added agriculture, which according to well as the opportunity to incorporate the Regional Employment Forecast Final agritourism as a marketed offering for Report (2020) includes “specialized food a Alberta tourists. It specifically mentions nd beverage manufacturing.” During the fostering partnerships between established short term, value added agriculture is tourism assets and artisanal growers and/or identified, which is described as “speciality farmers that could take on, or scale existing food manufacturing, seed cleaning, agritourism activities. Similarly, Calgary’s cannabis production.” Finally, in the medium economic development strategy—Calgary term, both value added agriculture, including in the New Economy (2018)—identifies industries focussed on “plant proteins, tourism as an “emerging & growth cluster”. micro-breweries/wineries”, and tourism, which includes “food accommodation As noted, the Calgary Metropolitan Region sector, outdoor adventures, equestrian,” Board has released the Calgary Metropolitan are identified. Region Growth Plan (2021). The growth plan is “a policy framework for managing growth and implementing long-term vision

5 Within the Foothills, the towns of Black For example, Rocky View County released Diamond and Turner Valley published an its Economic Recovery Task Force 2020: Intermunicipal Economic Development Rocky View County’s Economic Recovery Strategy (2019). The strategy identifies and Resilience in Response to COVID-19 five strategic goals to improve economic (2020). It identifies the development of a development in both municipalities: comprehensive marketing plan for Rocky View County to raise awareness of what 1. Build economic development capacity; the county has to offer; noting the success 2. Foster a friendly-environment for new of “Shop Local” campaigns and their development and existing businesses; online business directory on their website, 3. Support business retention and which highlight many local agricultural expansion entrepreneurship; producers who offer farm-to-table 4. Target community-based economic experiences. Furthermore, the Economic development; Recovery Taskforce identified the need 5. Make Black Diamond and Turner Valley for future marketing to grow the business a destination. directory into business-to-business (B2B) opportunities and cooperatively oriented The strategy also notes that both towns will packaging of complementary products continue to experience population growth and services for growing markets including rates comparable to many of Calgary’s tourism and agritourism. suburban communities. Importantly, the tourism industry is identified as a large Understanding the economic sector of the local economy in both towns, development context of the and it was highlighted in previous strategic Foothills is key to successfully plans as a key source of economic activity. More specifically, the strategy identifies developing agritourism. agritourism as an emerging consumer trend As is identifying ways that agritourism that rural communities should leverage for is aligned with existing economic economic development growth. development strategies and recovery plans. It also fosters stronger opportunities As a result of the pandemic, major tourist to receive support from municipalities and hubs such as Calgary continue to experience economic development corporations. a steep decline in economic activity, with a year-over-year decrease in hotel occupancy rates of 66%. However, there is recognition of the role that agritourism can play in the tourism recovery effort.

6 7 SOCIOCULTURAL

Since time immemorial, the land known became a boomtown after the discovery today as the Foothills has be the home of oil and gas. As a result, the region grew of Indigenous peoples. It forms part of in population. Between 1914 to 1947, the Treat 7 Territory, which is comprised of the area was known as the heart of Alberta’s Blackfoot Confederacy members, Siksika, petroleum industry. The Turner Valley Gas Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations, the Plant, which is now recognized as a National Stoney Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and and Provincial Historic Site, remained a Wesley First Nations, and the Dene of large contributor to Western ’s Tsuut’ina First Nations. Additionally, the energy supply until 1985. During these early land is within the Metis Nation of Alberta’s flourishing years, the Village of Longview Region 3. was made up of two communities, Little New York and Little Chicago.20 However, The Foothills has a diversity as the surrounding industries declined, Little Chicago became a ghost town. Many of agricultural areas with varied of its remaining buildings were moved to weather and soil conditions. Black Diamond’s downtown to rebuild the area after the 1949 fire that destroyed the The southwest is more suitable for grazing, downtown core. Nanton, which is at the while the east is more suitable for crop southern tip of the Foothills, was known as farming. The region produces beef, bison, the Tap House. It would provide free water poultry, eggs, and various crops, and it collected from the foothills of the Rockies is home to both small- and large-scale to travellers. Eventually, the town became processing plants as well as grain handling one of the first places in the country to facilities.18 Bar U Ranch National Historic bottle and sell water through what is known Site (1882–1950) is also located in Foothills today as Nanton Water & Soda Limited. County, and it is considered “one of the first and most enduring large corporate ranches According to the Vanier Institute of the of the West [and it] achieved international Family, family farms have played a key repute as a centre of breeding excellence role in the history of Canada through their for cattle and purebred Percheron horses.” contributions to both local and provincial economies. They also helped to shape Since the late 1800s, the Foothills has communities and familial identities. As had a strong coal and oil history. In the per Unlocking the Foothills Tourism early 1900s, the town of Turner Valley Potential (2020), family farms in Alberta

8 9 are an important means for communities 3.74% of the population identified as throughout the province to sustain their speaking a non-official language. The food security and stable supply chains. median annual income for families (couple For example, farm direct marketing allows families, lone-parent families, and people producers and family farms to assume without children) was $113,746 as of 2018. accountability and benefit from the delivery During the same year, of the approximately of quality food products directly to the 2,800 businesses in the Foothills, 97.5% customer through various methods. These were small businesses employing between include, farm gates, farmers’ markets, 1-49 employees. u-picks, community supported agriculture, and direct sales to restaurants. More and In 2016, the Foothills listed over 1,000 more people are interested in knowing where farms, with the main agricultural activities and how their food is grown and raised, as being cattle and calf raising (approximately well as who is behind its production. Family 125,000 animals) and cropland use (over farms can cater to these interests while 350,00 acres). Notably, at the provincial level increasing their business revenues and there was a 27.5% increase in young farmers sustaining their family farms and rural way under 35 years (n=1,890) between 2011 and of life. 2016. Additionally, female farm operators in Alberta are above the national average Additionally, a study conducted in Missouri, at 30.8 percent. The Foothills Tourism concluded that farms implementing Association also identifies approximately agritourism activities had an impact on the 409 visitor-facing businesses and service conservation of tangible cultural heritage providers with a range of experiences, resources, such as historic buildings and including food & drink and agritourism. Of artifacts related to the local agricultural these businesses and service providers, history. Since part of the appeal of visiting 29% (n=120) can be categorized as existing a farm is learning about where food comes or prospective agritourism businesses. from and how it is grown and harvested, farmers are able to use these tangible Understanding the diverse makeup of culture heritage resources to tell the story of the peoples, histories, and cultures of their farm, while simultaneously maintaining the Foothills is essential to developing the intangible cultural heritage value of agritourism activities. The unique stories continuing the practice of agriculture. connected to agricultural production, the people behind agriculture and food, and In 2020, the Foothills had a population the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of approximately 80,000, with almost 7% resources present in the area, all make the identifying as a visible minority and 4.32% experiences for visitors unique and difficult identifying as Indigenous. Additionally, to replicate.

10 TECHNOLOGICAL

Agritourism development often requires may not necessarily work for out-of-town tourism-specific skills and experience to be guests. developed by individuals who are primary focussed on agriculture. Some examples As a result of the pandemic, technology has include customer service, hospitality, and become even more important for offering online marketing. services and delivering value to prospective visitors. Having an online presence with Having an online presence key information, such as descriptions of product and service offerings on readily as an agritourism business is used platforms by agritourists, has become particularly important. essential for many businesses’ survival in both rural and urban areas. Additionally, Providing accessible information to visitors establishing innovative partnerships, about a business, such as its operating such as those between customer delivery hours, is essential for attracting agritourists. applications and producers, has become Visitors need guarantees when planning a more common service offered by trips. This is especially evident in rural businesses that have been forced to pivot areas, where negative experiences can be in the current climate. had if after a driving all the way to a farm or other agritourism business a visitor finds Providing online spaces for industry it closed. This is compounded by the fact members, locals, and visitors to connect that urbanites are not always accustomed is an excellent way to build community to “calling ahead,” which means strategies around agritourism and support local that may attract locals to an agritourism businesses. In many cases, industry business may not necessarily work for members, locals, and visitors are unaware out-of-town guests. Note, the pandemic is of what is next door to them and as a increasing call-ahead habits amongst all result may lose out on opportunities to visitor segments. experience an agritourism activity or to develop a unique agritourism partnership This is compounded by the fact that with another business. The official Foothills urbanites are not accustomed to “calling Tourism Association Facebook page, ahead,” which means strategies that may entitled Explore Foothills, has garnered attract locals to an agritourism business over 2,100 Likes and is updated almost

11 daily. Content on the page features local projects to remote and rural communities businesses and destinations in the region, nationally. While several communities in the including food & drink experiences. Foothills were identified in the original project Similarly, an industry-oriented Facebook proposal for broadband internet expansion, group, created by the Foothills Tourism including the hamlets of Priddis, Millarville, Association, entitled Growing Foothills and , only Bragg Creek qualified Together, has over 800 members, for infrastructure funding in March 2021. comprised of local business owners and tourism operators. These high numbers As the Foothills enters the post-pandemic of online engagement show the strong era, there may be new opportunities to use desire that people in the Foothills have to technology to benefit the agritourism industry. network and find information about visiting More specifically, there may be opportunities and experiencing the Foothills, including related to ensuring the health and safety experiencing agritourism activities. of visitors and staff, including providing information around up-to-date protocols, or Ongoing growth and maintenance of the creative approaches to connecting visitors region’s broadband internet service is vital to agritourism experiences. In the meantime, to connecting rural businesses with visitors. it is important for industry members in the In November 2020, the federal government Foothills to continue to grow their online announced a $1.75 billion investment into presence and explore different partnerships a Universal Broadband Fund which aims to that will further increase their resiliency in the support high-speed internet infrastructure years ahead.

12 LEGAL

There are many policies, laws, and related LAND-USE FRAMEWORK regulations that impact where and how agritourism activities can be developed in Land-use planning in Alberta begins a municipal jurisdiction. Health and safety with the Land Use Framework, which regulations, heritage conservation policies, was implemented by the Government of or environmental policies will all impact Alberta in 2008. This framework outlines these decisions. an approach for managing both public and private lands as well as natural resources, However, land-use frameworks, towards achieving the province’s long- plans, and policies are perhaps term economic, environmental, and social one of the most significant goals. This includes how land use will be managed, as well as how decisions will be influencers of where and how to made regarding growth pressures at the develop agritourism. provincial level. The Land Use Framework establishes seven land use regions and It is important to remember that the Foothills requires the development of a regional plan is made up of 11 municipal jurisdictions, for each region. with four being part of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board. Four being part SOUTH SASKATCHEWAN of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board: REGIONAL PLAN Foothills County, Town of High River, Town of Okotoks, and Rocky View County. Every The South Saskatchewan Regional Plan municipal jurisdiction has its own municipal is one of the seven regional plans that development plan and subsequent sub- establishes a long-term vision for the plans and land use bylaws. This is important South Saskatchewan Region, which to consider when developing agritourism includes the Foothills. The plan aligns in the Foothills, as different policy and provincial policies at the regional level and regulatory frameworks will come into play includes strategies for responsible energy depending on the location of a potential development, sustainable farming and agritourism business. Below are some of ranching, recreation, forest management, the legal frameworks that will or currently and nature-based tourism. Although influence agritourism development in the the plan does not identify agritourism Foothills.

13 specifically, it does identify tourism as a key including Section 3.1: Blueprint for Growth, area of growth and opportunity. Additionally, Section 3.2: Economic Wellbeing, and 3.6: it references objectives that could be An Amazing Quilt of Rural and Urban. achieved through agritourism development. This includes reducing the fragmentation Section 3.1: Blueprint for Growth and conservation of agricultural land, specifically recognizing that smaller parcels In Section 3.1.6.1, it states, “Municipalities contribute to the diversification of the shall comply with the following locational overall agricultural economy, particularly criteria when designating areas for in the areas of local food, value-added placetypes: (a) employment areas should production, and agricultural supporting only be located in preferred growth areas, activities. except the following, which have no locational criteria: i) resource extraction CALGARY METROPOLITAN REGION and energy development; ii) agriculture- GROWTH PLAN related business including processors, producers, and other agri-business and The Calgary Metropolitan Region Growth related accessory uses; and iii) home- Plan (2021) is a policy framework for based business.” Since agritourism can managing growth and implementing long- be considered a home-based business or term goals for the Calgary Metropolitan an agriculture-related business including Region. This includes future population processors, producers, and other agri- and employment growth that reflect the business and related accessory uses, aspirations for the Region. Pending the agritourism activities within these approval by the Government of Alberta, parameters are not required to be in urban the draft policy framework will guide future municipalities, hamlets growth areas, or growth and development in the Foothills, joint planning areas. Instead, they can exist including agritourism development. The in multiple locations within the municipality. plan defines agri-tourism as, “tourism that supports commercial agricultural Processors, in this plan, are defined production at a working farm, ranch, or as, “Businesses that process (or processing facility; tourism that generates transform) primary agricultural products supplemental income for an agricultural into intermediary or final products for producer; tourism related to activities that consumption (i.e. seed processors/ promote or market livestock and agricultural crushers, milling, slaughter houses, wool/ products such as fairs, market gardens and leather production, milk/cheese production, rodeos.” In the plan there are three areas that food manufacturing, fibre production, relate directly to agritourism development, preservation, packaging, etc.).”

14 Producers, in this plan, are defined as, and sell locally produced food; and (d) “Primary producers are ranchers and identify opportunities for agri-tourism, as farmers, greenhouse operators, aqua- appropriate to the local scale and context.” culturalists, beekeepers, and other Municipal jurisdictions are mandated to individuals who create primary agricultural identify opportunities for agritourism products via biological processes.” development, as well as develop policies that will support a resilient and diversified agricultural economy. This includes Section 3.2: Economic Wellbeing supporting the growth of agribusinesses and value-added agriculture and related In Section 3.2.3: Agricultural Economy, industries, such as businesses with the it sees agriculture playing an important potential for agritourism development. cultural and economic role in large and small communities across the Calgary Section 3.6: An Amazing Quilt of Rural and Metropolitan Region. More specifically, Urban it highlights the importance of having a balance between conserving agricultural In Section 3.6: An Amazing Quilt of Rural land and promoting other forms of economic and Urban, it mentions how the growth plan development; in a manner that promotes will cultivate growth in a way that maintains new land uses which are compatible with the rural, agricultural, and environmental existing ones. Additionally, it recognizes characteristics of the rural area. It will the importance of supporting value- focus most urban growth to higher density added agriculture and related industries and mixed-use areas, including towns, in proximity to producers as important for city centres, hamlet growth areas, and supporting the agricultural industry. strategic joint planning areas. It identifies this approach as benefiting all member Subsection 3.2.3.1 states, “Municipal municipalities by promoting, enhancing, Development Plans shall: (a) identify the role and supporting the common regional that agriculture plays in the municipality and framework in two ways, with one pertaining include policies to support a strong, resilient more to agritourism development. and diversified agricultural economy; (b) include policies to support growth of agri- Specifically, “offering lifestyles in rural business and value-added agriculture places where people can live in nature, and related industries, especially when hobby farm, keep horses for pleasure or located in proximity to producers, as sport, or explore opportunities to generate appropriate to the local scale and context; their own power, grow their own food, (c) identify more opportunities to buy, share or operate a home-based business or a

15 large agricultural operation.” Although Municipal District of Willow Creek No. 26— it does not have specific policies related must align with the South Saskatchewan to celebrating the amazing quilt of rural Regional Plan. and urban, this approach intersects within the policies contained in the Growth Plan. In many cases, Agritourism can be a catalyst to maintaining municipal development plans and offering lifestyles in rural places and strategies do not explicitly where people are able to live by having an agritourism business on their property and mention agritourism. grow or raise their own food. However, many do include terms and reference activities that are connected to INTERMUNICIPAL & MUNICIPAL agritourism, such as local food production, DEVELOPMENT PLANS value-added agriculture, urban agriculture, and farmers’ markets. Below are some Each municipality has its own municipal examples found in the Foothills. or intermunicipal development plan. It is a statutory policy document prepared by Town of Turner Valley & Town of Black a municipality and enforced by provincial Diamond: regulations. It outlines how growth In the Joint Growth Strategy for the Towns and development will be managed in of Turner Valley + Black Diamond (2016), a municipality. It also identifies how a future development recommendations are community will address immediate needs included to “Build sustainable communities and create long-term goals for guiding by encouraging the following programs and future development. An intermunicipal planning techniques: agricultural urbanism development plan is one that is prepared and local food production to physically collaboratively between two or more and programmatically integrate a local municipalities. sustainable food culture and system into the towns’ environment and communities, Within the Foothills, the municipal through programs such as: community development plans of Rocky View County, gardens, farmers markets, farm-to-table Foothills County, the towns of Okotoks and start-up, and educational events or school High River, all need to align with the Calgary programs. Metropolitan Region Growth Plan. In addition, the municipal development plans Town of Nanton: of these four jurisdictions—along with those In the Town of Nanton Municipal in the towns of Black Diamond, Turner Valley, Development Plan (2019), two policies Nanton, the Village of Longview, and the concerning economic development

16 17 relate to agritourism. The first focusses Town of Black Diamond: on agriculture, specifically mentioning The Town of Black Diamond Land Use supporting the production of primary Bylaw No. 98-14 (2007) identifies bed and agricultural commodities and value-added breakfast accommodation as an activity agriculture industries, as well as supporting that it defines as, “a principal dwelling where locally produced food and food products sleeping accommodation with or without to be consumed at home and exported to light meals is provided to members of the all markets as a component to health and traveling public for remuneration.”54 It also wellness. The second focusses on tourism, specifies requirements such as providing and encourages businesses, volunteers, one (1) parking spot per rented room, public service groups, and cultural amenities plus the number required for the dwelling, oriented to Nanton’s tourism industry and to not employ any person other than to work together and continue to define an occupant of the principal residential Nanton as an Authentic Alberta experience. building in which the bed and breakfast accommodation operation takes place.

LAND USE BYLAWS Town of Okotoks: The Town of Okotoks Draft Land-use Because land use bylaws are reflective of By-law (2021) mentions agritourism as intermunicipal or municipal development an example of an activity permitted in plans, most bylaws do not explicitly mention Agricultural & Land Holdings Districts. More agritourism in the Foothills. However, specifically, it mentions that “agritourism many do identify activities that can be can support local agriculture and economic considered part of agritourism, such as bed development.” It also mentions agritourism and breakfasts, guest ranches, farmers’ activities, including farmers’ markets, markets, or lodging for example. Since farm gate sales and other farm-based there is a vast array of land-use bylaws with businesses. Last, it identifies Agriculture- different yet sometimes similar activities Urban zoning as “community oriented, related to agritourism, it is important to small-scale agriculture including, (but not collaborate among the different municipal limited to), community gardens, edible jurisdictions to build awareness amongst landscaping, rooftop gardens. It excludes industry members about the pathways Cannabis production. It may include keeping available to develop agritourism activities of animal(s) in accordance with relevant in different areas. Below are some examples municipal and/or provincial regulations.” found within the Foothills.

18 Municipal District of Willow Creek No. 26: Foothills County: The Municipal District of Willow Creek The Foothills County Land Use Bylaw No. 26: Land use Bylaw No. 1826 (2020) (2019) identifies bed and breakfasts in its identifies certain agritourism related uses bylaws. It specifically identifies this activity as discretionary uses for rural zoning, such as a discretionary use within Agricultural as bed and breakfasts, tourist homes, and Districts. It also mentions the maximum guest ranches. It specifically defines a guest number of commercial accommodation ranch as, “a ranch or resort in an agricultural units (4) and the maximum stay time (14 setting designed for vacationers offering days). Additionally, the bylaws identify primarily lodging, horseback riding and Direct Control District #32 – Agricultural other activities typical of western ranches.” Societies, which allows for, “the operation of agricultural societies, and accessory Town of Nanton: community recreational facilities providing The Town of Nanton Land Use Bylaw services and facilities for the agricultural 1246-13 (2013) also identifies bed and related, recreational, tourism, or social breakfast; breweries, distilleries, and needs of the community. This recognizes wineries; markets; and market gardens as the need for the community associations permissible activities. More specifically, and agricultural societies to operate it defines a market as, “a development as a viable business thus allowing for a indoors or outdoors which provides to multitude of uses accessory to the principal vendors, stalls or other similarly restricted use of the site...” Some discretionary areas for the demonstration of products uses as accessories to the primary use and services, disposal and sale of goods, as an Agricultural Society include minor wares or merchandise to the public, at a campground, cultural facilities, food service, single location or premises, including but and public market. not limited to farmers’ markets, flea markets, craft shows or trade fairs.” Market gardens are defined as “the growing of vegetables or fruit for commercial purposes. This use includes an area for the display and sale of goods or produce grown or raised on site.”

19 ENVIRONMENTAL

The landscape of a destination is one of Montane Cordillera, the Boreal Plains, and its most prevalent features and can have a the Prairies Terrestrial Ecozones converge significant impact on a visitor’s agritourism near the Foothills. experience and satisfaction. Agricultural landscapes reflect local cultures, traditions, Landscapes play a particularly defining role and ways of living by illustrating how people in agritourism development as alterations have altered the natural environment. to the landscape is needed for agricultural Alberta is divided into 6 Natural Regions and production. In fact, many of UNESCO’s Subregions. These are based on features cultural heritage landscape designations such as soils, landscape patterns, and around the world feature unique agricultural vegetation. The Foothills is in the “mixed landscapes, from terraced rice fields to grassland” Natural Subregion. Over the last stone vineyard walls. These landscapes century, much of Alberta’s grasslands have form part of the foodways of a place, which been converted to agricultural land uses. include the who, what, where, why, and how food is grown, produced, prepared, The Foothills’ location in the Rocky and shared. Foodways also reflect the Mountains-Prairie transition zone, means uniqueness of a place’s geographic visitors do not need to travel far to witness landscape and the ingredients that can be noticeable landscape changes in the area. grown there because of the unique terroirs.

In fact, the Foothills sits Conserving natural landscape features, like mountain viewsheds or forest borders, at the transition of three can benefit agritourism development. physiographic regions, the These natural heritage features can also Rocky Mountain Foothills, the help to anchor visitor activities to place. A Southern Alberta Uplands, and key motivation for many rural tourists and the Western Alberta Plains. agritourists is enjoying rural landscapes, and this can happen through farm-stay This makes the East-West corridor a experiences, participating in farm activities, defining landscape feature since the area’s experiencing traditional hospitality, being change in elevation impacts vegetation, close to farm animals, tasting farm-grown wildlife, and weather patterns. Additionally, foods, viewing countryside scenes (e.g., this geographic diversity explains why the farmstead buildings/structures, cultural/

20 natural landscape), and experiencing the It is important to consider the living cultural heritage of rural life. Similarly, impact of climate change on having healthy natural environments agritourism development. makes it easier to connect agritourism to other activities that agritourists may be interested in, including watching wildlife Impacts such as flooding, severe storms, and simply appreciating the natural and other significant changes in weather landscape. A key part of conserving the patterns, as well as soil degradation and integrity of natural and rural landscapes erosion, will have an impact on what can be is being mindful that there is a carrying raised or grown in the Foothills. Agritourism capacity to visitation. At a certain point, development should consider integrating too many cars, buses, and tourists detract approaches and process that actively from the “rural getaway” experience that support healthy ecosystems, such as using agritourists are seek. renewable energy sources, encouraging organic and regenerative farming, and Agritourism activities are strongly eliminating single use plastics from the connected to the landscapes in which visitor experience. they take place, climate impact must be considered.

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