Cornel and Cremona Primrose of Big Valley are officially opening their doors to experience what it is like on the farm come August 19 and 20.

After 14 years of experience and family ties, the couple and their two little girls aged 7 and 9 are more than happy to share their life with the public.

“We have farming ancestry on all side of our families; born with farming in our blood,”

Cremona has an Animal Health Technology background and noticed how industry companies were pushing dairy farmers to use more pharmaceuticals for “band-aid” approaches on their cows.

“We disagreed with the industry and thought there must be a breed who is healthier. A year later, our farm was using

Fleckvieh genetics directly sourced from Germany in lower Bavaria,” said Cremona in an email interview.

The Fleckvieh breed offers dual purpose of both high quality beef and milk as well as the ability to fight disease without many antibiotics and pharmaceuticals.

“We have always farmed with ethics in mind, especially with world wide superbugs on the rise,” said Primrose.

By 2016, the family farm obtained a processor's license and began selling whole milk, plain yogurt, and plain kefir. Their products have seen shelves in many stores across the province now.

“It’s a global calling to be able to provide food for your fellow human beings.

Their traditional approach to farming includes the animal's experience on the farm and how they are treated.

The milking cattle specifically are fed high forage diets which essentially ensures moderate milk production of a healthy, long lasting cow.

A unique part of the farm is that all animals are named rather than identified by numbers.

As for the open farm days itself, it is set to be full of family-friendly fun activities. Many farmers, ranchers, and ag-tourism operators invite visitors to experience informative tours and culinary events that help highlight the importance of agriculture in the province.

This year, there are more than 100 Alberta Open Farm Days host sites and over 20 culinary events across Alberta including Primrose Farms, south of Big Valley.

The Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site received an upgrade on Holiday Monday, as members of the Drumheller Rotary Club came out to install new interpretive signs.

The existing signs that interpreted the Tipple Trail had become weathered and out of date. The Rotary Club along with Canadian Badlands were able to financially support replacing the 13 signs and the club had a work bee to install them.

“Our signs were out of date and really weathered, and these new panels will really last us, easily a decade,” said curator at the Atlas Jay Russell.

The signs are composed of the same material as the Valley Mine Driving Tour signs and Russell did the research to update the signs with relevant information.

“I really enjoyed doing the research in it and we found a lot more information about the Atlas when we were revamping the signs so it was a good opportunity to do that,” said Russell.

He says that phase 2 of the interpretation sign upgrade will be for the machinery yard.

“We have the signs now and we just have to do a little groundwork and we will erect those signs,” he said.

The project cost about $25,000 for the 13 signs on the Tipple Trail and another 12 in the machinery yard.

The Atlas is experiencing a great year, and in fact, the holiday weekend brought on one of its best days ever. This is the 80th anniversary of the Tipple and the 30th year for the operation of the historic site.