On the Road with 4-H Alberta: 2026 Ag Next Gen Tour

Day One | July 13

Tour Highlights

• Began the tour at the Alberta 4-H Centre
• Visited Colin Rice Feedlot and learned about beef production
• Took part in an interactive producer journey challenge at AFSC’s Lacombe Central Office
• Explored lending, insurance, claims and financial processing through hands-on activities
• Visited Pleasant Valley Oil Mills to learn about value-added agriculture
• Travelled to Rochon Sands Provincial Park for the evening

Ag in action at AFSC

Participants visited AFSC’s Lacombe Central Office for an interactive experience that followed the journey of a producer.

Working in teams, participants moved through a series of stations focused on lending, insurance, claims and financial processing. Along the way, they worked through real-world scenarios and learned how different parts of AFSC support producers through every stage of their operation.

The Amazing Race-style activity challenged participants to make decisions, solve problems and think about the risks and opportunities that producers face every day. The experience wrapped up with a Kahoot competition that reinforced key learnings while adding a fun and competitive element to the day.

Day Two | July 14

Tour Highlights

• Met Ron Greidanus, owner of Greidanus Honey Bee Farm and AFSC Board member
• Learned about commercial beekeeping and honey production
• Explored the Honey House and the honey extraction process
• Discussed AFSC insurance and lending programs available to agricultural entrepreneurs
• Visited Horseshoe Canyon
• Explored Alberta’s natural and agricultural history at the Royal Tyrrell Museum
• Travelled to River Grove Campground in Drumheller

A season as a bee farmer

Participants travelled to Greidanus Honey Bee Farm near Stettler to learn about commercial beekeeping and the role pollinators play in Alberta agriculture.

Owner Ron Greidanus shared insights into his operation and his family’s long history in the honey industry. He also spoke about his role as an AFSC Board member and how he helps bring the perspective of Alberta beekeepers to the organization.

Participants learned about the annual cycle of managing honey bee colonies, from setting up hives in the spring to harvesting honey and preparing colonies for winter. They explored the life cycle of honey bees, learned how hive locations are managed across Alberta and Saskatchewan, and gained a better understanding of pollination and honey production.

Inside the Honey House, participants saw how honey is extracted and processed before reaching consumers. Discussions also included AFSC’s insurance and lending programs and the considerations involved in building and growing an agricultural business. The visit concluded with a sample of honey produced on the farm.

Day Three | July 15

Tour Highlights

• Met with AFSC Drumheller team members
• Learned about careers in lending, insurance, claims and client service
• Explored how drone technology supports claims processes.
• Visited Sweet Grass Contracting
• Toured Klassen Agriventures and learned about milling and processing
• Learned how agricultural products move from production to value-added processing
• Travelled to Kinbrook Campground at Lake Newell

Exploring careers at AFSC

Participants started the day at AFSC’s Drumheller branch, where they met with team members to learn about the many career opportunities that support Alberta producers.

Over breakfast, participants heard from branch team members about roles in lending, insurance, client service and claims. The group also learned how technologies such as drones are used to support claims.

The discussion connected the skills participants are developing through 4-H, including leadership, teamwork and communication, to future opportunities within agriculture. Team members also shared information about student opportunities and career pathways at AFSC.

Day Four | July 16

Tour Highlights

• Stopped at Taber’s Giant Corn Stalk for a group photo
• Joined the AFSC Taber team for lunch
• Toured Johnson Fresh Farms near Barnwell
• Learned how potatoes are cleaned, stored and shipped
• Visited celery fields and learned about specialty crop production
• Enjoyed an afternoon at Stafford Lake following the farm tour
• Travelled to Stafford Lake Resort and set up camp for the evening

Learning About Specialty Crops in Taber

Participants spent the day exploring the diversity of specialty crop production in southern Alberta, beginning with lunch and conversations with the AFSC Taber team about agriculture in the region.

The group then toured Johnson Fresh Farms near Barnwell, where James Johnson guided participants through the farm’s potato storage facility. Participants saw more than 150 tons of Russet potatoes from the 2025 harvest and learned how potatoes are cleaned, stored and prepared for shipment to customers.

The tour continued in one of the farm’s celery fields, where participants learned about the production of hand-harvested specialty crops and the management practices required to grow them successfully. The highlight for many was sampling fresh celery directly from the field, prompting one participant to declare, “This is the best celery I have ever tasted.”

The experience provided a firsthand look at the diversity of Alberta agriculture while helping participants better understand the risks producers manage and the role AFSC plays in supporting farm operations through risk management programs and services.

Day Five | July 17

Tour Highlights

• Explored agricultural research and innovation at the University of Lethbridge Science Commons
• Learned about genome science and agricultural research
• Joined the AFSC Lethbridge team for lunch
• Participated in an AFSC-themed Jeopardy competition
• Visited Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
• Visited the Bellevue Underground Mine
• Travelled to Crowsnest Pass Campground for the evening

AFSC Jeopardy brings learning to life

Participants began the day at the University of Lethbridge Science Commons, where they explored laboratories and learned about agricultural research and genome science.

The group then joined AFSC’s Lethbridge branch for lunch and an interactive Jeopardy-style competition designed to build their understanding of AFSC and Alberta’s agricultural sector.

Working in teams, participants answered questions covering AFSC products and services, risk management, industry partnerships and Alberta agriculture. Along with friendly competition and bragging rights, participants competed for prizes while reinforcing what they had learned throughout the tour.

Lunch was catered by Brimstone Grill at Broxburn Vegetables, an AFSC client, providing another connection between producers, agribusinesses and organizations that support the agriculture industry.

The activity highlighted how AFSC works alongside producers, entrepreneurs and industry partners to encourage innovation, manage risk and help strengthen Alberta’s agriculture sector.

Day Six | July 18

Tour Highlights

• Visited the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
• Explored Lundbreck Falls
• Visited Bar U Ranch National Historic Site
• Learned about early agriculture, ranching and homesteading in Alberta
• Travelled to Millarville Campground for the evening

Experiencing Alberta’s ranching landscape

Participants spent the day exploring the landscapes, history and agricultural traditions that have helped shape southwestern Alberta.

The day began at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, where participants learned about one of Canada’s most significant natural disasters and its lasting impact on local communities.

Following a stop at Lundbreck Falls, the group travelled to Bar U Ranch National Historic Site. There, participants explored the history of ranching, agriculture and homesteading in Alberta and learned how early settlers helped establish the province’s livestock industry.

Through interactive exhibits and guided interpretation, participants gained insight into the challenges and innovations that shaped Alberta’s agricultural heritage. The visit provided valuable context on how ranching practices have evolved over time while highlighting the enduring importance of agriculture to the province’s economy and communities.

The experience offered another opportunity for participants to appreciate the diversity of Alberta agriculture and the generations of people who have contributed to its success.

Day Seven | July 19

Tour Highlights

• Enjoyed a day exploring Kananaskis Country
• Visited Forgetmenot Pond
• Stopped in Bragg Creek
• Explored trails and recreational opportunities in West Bragg Creek
• Returned to Millarville Campground for the evening

Building connections beyond agriculture

After several days of farm tours, business visits and learning activities, participants enjoyed a day focused on exploring Alberta’s natural landscapes and spending time together as a group.

The day included visits to Forgetmenot Pond, Bragg Creek and West Bragg Creek, where participants had opportunities to hike, fish, explore local businesses and enjoy the outdoors.

These experiences allowed participants to strengthen friendships, reflect on what they had learned throughout the tour and build connections with fellow 4-H members from across the province.

The slower-paced day provided time to recharge before the final stretch of the Ag Next Gen Tour.

Day Eight | July 20

Tour Highlights

• Visited AFSC’s Rocky View branch
• Participated in an agriculture-themed Kahoot competition
• Shared reflections from the tour during a group discussion
• Toured OTI Food Products’ flour milling facility in Acme
• Learned about entrepreneurship and building an agribusiness in Alberta
• Picked fresh strawberries at The Jungle Farm
• Made homemade strawberry jam
• Travelled to Burbank Campground

Supporting agricultural dreams

Participants visited AFSC’s Rocky View branch, where they tested their agricultural knowledge through a customized Kahoot competition led by AFSC team members.

Using their mobile devices, participants answered questions covering agriculture, AFSC programs and industry knowledge. The activity encouraged teamwork while reinforcing concepts they had encountered throughout the tour.

The group then travelled to OTI Food Products in Acme for a behind-the-scenes look at a flour milling operation. The owners shared their experience of building an agricultural business in Alberta after immigrating from Ukraine, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities involved in establishing a new agribusiness.

The day concluded at The Jungle Farm near Red Deer, where participants picked fresh strawberries before learning how value-added food products are created. Using berries harvested on-site, the group worked together to make strawberry jam while gaining firsthand experience in transforming raw agricultural products into consumer-ready goods.

The experience demonstrated how organizations like AFSC support producers and entrepreneurs as they pursue new opportunities within Alberta’s agriculture sector.

Day Nine | July 21

Tour Highlights

• Visited AFSC’s Red Deer branch
• Learned about careers in agribusiness and crop insurance
• Participated in an interactive Kahoot presentation
• Explored crop adjusting through a hands-on challenge
• Visited Discovery Canyon
• Reflected on experiences from throughout the tour
• Returned to Burbank Campground for the final evening

Exploring careers beyond the farm gate

Participants visited AFSC’s Red Deer branch to learn about career opportunities that help support Alberta agriculture.

An interactive presentation introduced participants to agribusiness lending and the role financial services play in helping producers grow and adapt their operations. The group also learned about crop adjusting and the important role adjusters play in supporting producers through the insurance claims process.

Participants then took part in a hands-on challenge where they worked in teams to build model crops using cups and office supplies before facing a simulated hailstorm. The exercise demonstrated the risks producers face and highlighted the importance of crop insurance and claims services.

The session showcased career opportunities that exist beyond primary production and encouraged participants to consider the many ways they can contribute to Alberta’s agriculture industry.

The day concluded with time at Discovery Canyon and an opportunity for participants to reflect on the experiences, friendships and lessons gained throughout the tour.

Day Ten | July 22

Tour Highlights

• Packed up at Burbank Campground
• Returned to the Alberta 4-H Centre
• Unloaded equipment and wrapped up the tour
• Departed for home following 10 days of exploration and learning

Journey complete

After 10 days on the road, participants returned to the Alberta 4-H Centre to conclude the 2026 Ag Next Gen Tour.

Throughout the tour, participants explored farms, feedlots, honey operations, ranches, research facilities, processors and agribusinesses across Alberta. Along the way, they met producers, entrepreneurs, researchers and AFSC team members who shared their experiences and insights into the agriculture industry.

From lending and insurance to crop claims, value-added processing, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, the tour provided a firsthand look at the many opportunities available within Alberta agriculture.

Participants returned home with new knowledge, new connections and a deeper understanding of the people, businesses and organizations that help Alberta’s agriculture industry thrive.