July 18, 2026: Red Deer, AB – Farm Tour and Potluck at Piper Creek Project, Common Ground Garden and Woody Nook Gardens

Join us for an inspiring day of farm tours, potluck lunch and community building!

This event will take participants on a guided tour of three innovative growing spaces in the Red Deer-area, each demonstrating a different approach to food production, ecological stewardship, and community-building. Along the way, we’ll explore how creative land use models can support new farmers and strengthen local food systems.

What to expect:

A rare opportunity to tour and learn from three different food projects in Red Deer, AB in one day: 

• Piper Creek Restoration Agriculture Project

An inspiring restoration project where community gardens, wildlife habitat, and food production come together. This project site includes recovering food forest, pollinator gardens, rainwater harvesting system, and the Tin Frame Barn—future home of what is planned to be the world’s largest insect hotel. Along the way, keep an eye out for beavers, songbirds, deer, and other wildlife that call Piper Creek home.

• Common Ground Garden Project

This  vibrant urban community growing space is dedicated to food security, medicine cultivation, and cultural connection. Highlights include the Medicine Wheel Garden, traditional Three Sisters plantings, permaculture-inspired growing systems, and gathering spaces that host Indigenous-led programming, workshops, and community events throughout the season.

• Woody Nook Gardens

A thriving market garden producing vegetables and flowers for local markets using natural, organic, and soil-building practices. See up close how the farmers here work to balance crop profitability, soil health, and ecological farming while growing abundant harvests without herbicides. This is a great opportunity to hear firsthand about the realities and rewards of building a successful small-scale farm business.

This event is for you if you’re curious about regenerative agriculture, community food systems, creative approaches to land access, and connecting with others who are passionate about growing the future of farming in Alberta.

What you need to know before you arrive:

• Dress for the weather! 
• Bring a dish to share if you would like to participate in the potluck
• Please follow directions on where to park and do not block access to the community garden.

WHEN: 18 July, 2026 | 10 AM to 4:00 PM

LOCATION:  Piper Creek Restoration Agriculture Project | Treaty 6 & 7 territories  | East side of 40th Ave – south Red Deer, past the landfill, before the Clearview Industrial Park (along Piper Creek). 

REGISTER: Please RSVP on Eventbrite to help us plan the event.

BRING:

You are invited to bring a food item to contribute to the potluck. Please bring fully prepared dishes only. If you can, please include a little card with ingredients, for folks with food sensitivities. There is no fridge available so please bring your own cooler if needed.

To enjoy the meal, please bring your own plate, cutlery and cup, and plan on packing your items back home to clean. Bring along a chair or blanket to sit on, a water bottle, and any sunscreen and insect repellant you might need. Make sure to wear weather and farm-suitable clothing and footwear – the event will proceed rain or shine (though there will be tents available for the potluck in case of rain).

SHARE: Planning on joining us? Invite your friends and share the Facebook event (link coming soon)! 

ACCESSIBILITY: If you have any accessibility needs, please get in touch with us at steven@youngagrarians.org. 

ABOUT Piper Creek Agricultural Restoration Project

Piper Creek is a restoration agriculture project located just outside of Red Deer beside a landfill. Despite its proximity to the landfill, the site supports a variety of local wildlife, community gardens, and opportunities for people to connect with nature. Community garden plots are available for Red Deer residents to rent throughout the growing season. These gardens foster a strong sense of community while encouraging the sharing of gardening knowledge and experience. The annual community gardens complement the nearby perennial food forest, demonstrating different approaches to growing food in Alberta.

Visitors to the site can observe a wide range of wildlife, including ducks, songbirds, muskrats, beavers, and deer. Over time, beavers have built dams along Piper Creek, naturally altering the landscape and creating valuable habitat. The site is also home to a pollinator garden that attracts a variety of pollinating insects and supports local biodiversity. The food forest is an important feature of Piper Creek and is currently undergoing restoration.

This season, work has focused on removing weeds, grass mats, and dead vegetation. Future efforts will involve planting additional fruits, vegetables, and native species to create a thriving and sustainable ecosystem. Another notable feature of the site is the Tin Frame Barn, which was constructed on the location of the original farm barn. The structure is currently being transformed into what is planned to be the world’s largest insect hotel. The barn also houses a rainwater harvesting system that collects and stores water from the roof for future use. Piper Creek is a unique restoration site that combines environmental stewardship, food production, wildlife habitat, and community engagement.

Website: https://rethinkreddeer.ca/projects-programs/piper-creek-project

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pipercreekrestorationagriculture

ABOUT Common Ground Garden Project

Common Ground is a community market garden that grows food and medicine for local residents while providing a welcoming space for gatherings and educational events. The site has hosted many Indigenous community events and serves as an important gathering place within Red Deer. A tipi and outdoor kitchen provide a comfortable setting for ceremonies, workshops, and other community activities. The garden is composed of several different growing areas, each designed with a specific purpose. One notable feature is the Medicine Wheel Garden, where the four sacred medicines are cultivated for community use. Another is the squash mound, which follows the traditional Three Sisters planting method by growing beans, corn, and squash together. These crops are harvested and donated to those in need.

Common Ground also contains raised beds surrounded by hay bales, where a variety of crops such as squash, chamomile, and chives are grown. In addition, circular gardens inspired by permaculture principles are used to cultivate vegetables, including potatoes that are grown both for seed production and donation. The site regularly welcomes groups from across the Red Deer area, who use the space for programming, education, and food-growing initiatives. Irrigation systems throughout the garden help maintain healthy crops and support efficient water use. Common Ground is an important community space in the heart of Red Deer. By combining food production, medicine cultivation, cultural programming, and community engagement, it contributes to both food security and social connection while creating opportunities for learning and collaboration.

Website: https://rethinkreddeer.ca/commonground

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commongroundgardenproject

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commongroundgardenproject/

ABOUT Woody Nook Gardens

Woody Nook Gardens is located on treaty 6 territory, a traditional meeting ground for many Indigenous peoples, including Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Dene, Nakota Sioux, and Métis.

This vibrant market garden produces a diverse mix of veggies and flowers for local markets. They specialize in potatoes, root crops, and brassicas, utilizing natural, organic, and soil building principles.
They sell at the Lacombe and Lakedell farmers markets, as well as an on farm store, and several wholesale customers.

Weed control is done without herbicide sprays, so you can expect to spend lots of time getting up close and personal with the weeds. While the tasks can be demanding, the payoff comes mid-summer when the gardens are flourishing and abundant.

The team loves the lifestyle and flexibility, and they take pride in providing nourishing produce to the community.

There is a strong emphasis on soil health and on understanding crop profitability to ensure sustainability of the business.

Website: https://woodynookgardens.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodynookgardens

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodynookgardens/

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This event is free and open to everyone! Supervised children are welcome
• Please leave furry friends at home
• Please stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms
• Please do not bring alcohol to this event

STAY IN TOUCH

• Sign up for our e-newsletter to get events and opportunities for your region delivered straight to your inbox
• Join our Young Agrarians Alberta Facebook Group to stay up to date with all events in the region
• We welcome cancellations at any time – you can do so through Eventbrite, through the link in your registration confirmation email, or by contacting steven@youngagrarians.org.
• Questions? Email Steve at steven@youngagrarians.org

This public event is part of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program (YAAP). The program matches energetic new entrants with paid opportunities on farms. These farms are committed to helping train the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Farmers and apprentices participating in the program are invited to learn more about agriculture through networking and community building events like this one.