Did you ever wonder why the University has a "farm", the Edmonton Research Station, in the middle of Edmonton and what exactly goes on there? If so, here is your chance to find out!

 100 years ago, agricultural practices would have looked familiar to the people who originally practiced agriculture 10,000 years ago. Powered by ‘Biofuel’ draft animals tilled the soil, providing, to the local area, basic food stuff and fibers while domesticated animals provided meat, eggs and dairy products. Today’s science based agriculture balances enhanced food and bioproduct production for a global population of >6.8 billion people while maintaining biodiversity, reducing water usage, and enhancing soil fertility. A daunting challenge!

 To celebrate the 100th birthday of the University of Alberta, the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science will be hosting an open house at the Edmonton Research Station to highlight the work going on at these state of the art teaching and research facilities. We are inviting you, our neighbours and friends from the community to bring your families, a picnic lunch and participate in some fun activities. There is a lot happening at the Edmonton Research Station and we would love to share it with you.

For more information, please contact
Dr. Linda Hall
Phone 492-3281, Email linda.hall@ualberta.ca

Food Less Traveled

Look here for RECIPES to create your own locally grown picnic basket lunch.

Why is locally grown food better? Local means fresh – and we have some beautiful fresh food available from farms and greenhouses all year round. Local mean less transport - an environmentally sound choice. Local supports our local growers

To find local food, try your farmers market (http://www.albertamarkets.com/) or ask for it in your local store and supermarket. More information about local food is available at Growing Alberta   http://www.growingalberta.com/

A special thanks to the following sponsors and supporters of ‘Food and U Day’:

Did you know petting a cat is good for your health or that dogs can detect cancer and seizures?? Travel through time and find out some amazing facts about companion animals. Come see which exotic animals are now considered “companions” and how the role of our animal companions has changed in the past 100 years. Also see these furry and not-so-furry friends in action with live demonstrations!

Choose your own adventure! Will you take the path of the Drumstick and Gobbler and learn about how chickens and turkeys are raised and how poultry meat products have evolved over time and more OR will it be the Humpty Dumpty Adventure where you will learn all about the different kinds of eggs we eat and how they are made. Either way, this quest will lead you to a treasure chest with an “Egg”cellent prize. They are also promising to finally answer the age old question “Which came first the chicken or the egg?”

Learn science answers to questions you didn’t know you had about agriculture. How does a farmer tell one chicken from another? Why do cows eat magnets? How does an egg not break when it’s laid? Find out the answers to these and other questions in an interactive Name That Tool Gameshow. Answer the questions correctly and you could win some great prizes. Visit www.heiferinyourtank.ca for more information.

See what goes in and comes out of a dairy cow in a single day – you have to see it to believe it. Say hello to our Dairy cows, cute calves and find out what goes on in their stomachs, how milk is made and all the delicious products we get courtesy of these black and white bovines.

Ever drive down the highways of Alberta and wonder what exactly is growing in the fields? Here is your chance to find out. Canola oil is for more than cooking – learn how we are making bio-diesel fuel from canola and other exciting discoveries of just how versatile crops are. Play the canola quiz and get rewarded. Get to know the wild relatives of wheat plants that give you bread. Plant Petting Zoo – all the fun of an animal petting zoo without the worries of stepping on anything or getting bit.

Going for the Gold with Veggie Olympics. Compete in the first Veggie Olympics that takes playing with your food to a new level. Don’t like to eat peas and cabbage? ...Why not practice your aim and precision with pea shooting and cabbage bowling. Who knew veggies could be so much fun?

Were cows always this big?  Were steaks always this tasty?  What did cows look like 100 year's ago?  Using CSI-style techniques our detectives (researchers) will show you how DNA extraction is done and the fingerprints developed to reveal the mysteries of cattle breeding. We are beginning to see how genes impact the looks, growth, milking and other attributes farmers want to improve.

 
Swine through Time – see, touch and smell the pigs that brought pork to your plate and the plates of your grandparents. Makin’ Bacon – see the very beginnings of a pig’s life. Pork to your Plate – learn how changing what pigs eat changes pork products into a tastier meal.  Where have the spots gone? Learn what selective breeding has achieved over time and why. Did you know there are predominately five pig breeds in Alberta?

Interactive displays demonstrate what happens in a modern pig barn. Viewing windows allow visitors to see into two sections of a modern hog barn. In addition to seeing live animals, the interactive displays explain what pigs eat, how they are housed and cared for, and what is done with the manure they produce. For more information go to www.albertapork.com

Uncover the secrets behind some of your favorite foods.... Come and explore the science of soup, the biology of bacon, and the chemistry of cheerios with the “Edible Einstein” Food Science Gang! Follow your nose through the adventures of cereal, meat, and dairy products when it goes from the farm gate to your plate! Satisfy your hunger and thirst for knowledge at Food and You Day with FUN-tastic Food Science!

Have fun with our live carrot and apple who will introduce you to Liquid Candy; the difference between milk and other beverages, and how to tell if you are having a high sugar day!

Spin the Farmers Care Trivia Wheel to learn about how farmers care for their animals 24/7. See if you have the answers to questions about how farmers respond to the needs of animals and learn how farmers and animals need each other.