Farm History

 

Welcome to Edgar Farms!

We're Doug and Elna Edgar. Our farm history goes back over 100 years.

Farming runs deep in our blood.

We are a six generation farm and are proud to carry on the traditions of our family, growing some of the best produce in Alberta.

How it Began

In 1907, Doug's great-grandfather William Edgar Sr. embarked on a journey with his family, travelling north by covered wagon until they reached Innisfail, Alberta. There, he purchased a 320-acre homestead, which remains in our family to this day.

Doug, a great-grandson of William Sr., and I, raised just 12 miles east in a farming family, share a profound connection to the land. Our passion for agriculture led us both to pursue post-secondary education at Olds Agricultural College, further enriching our knowledge and skills.

 

Six generations later, Edgar Farms has become an integral part of our heritage and is now owned and operated by my husband Doug and me, Elna Edgar, along with our daughter Keri and her husband Randy.

We take immense pride in nurturing the land and producing exceptional crops. Our commitment to quality, flavour, and sustainability drives everything we do.

Humble Beginnings

In the early 1980s, with our two daughters, Keri and Angie, we recognized our farm's potential for their future. We decided to venture into growing garden vegetables for sale, initially cultivating a wide range of produce on a small scale. As time passed, we consciously chose to specialize in a select few crops.

This strategic decision allowed us to expand our equipment and deepen our expertise in our chosen specialty crops. By growing non-traditional varieties, we gained greater control over marketing and established a direct connection with consumers, enabling us to fulfill their preferences and desires.

Our Crops

One of our most notable achievements is our status as the largest asparagus operation in Alberta. Our cool climate and optimum soil conditions contribute to producing the most tender, sweetest, and flavourful asparagus you'll ever taste. Although our asparagus season is relatively short, spanning from mid-May until the end of June, the quality we deliver is unrivalled.

Asparagus is not typically grown in Alberta due to its high heat unit requirements for optimal yield. However, after careful experimentation on a smaller scale, we realized that we could prioritize quality and flavour over quantity, and our patrons would support our endeavour wholeheartedly.

In addition to asparagus, we devote numerous acres to cultivating sweet fresh garden peas, sugar snap peas, snow peas, broad beans, yellow beans, and green beans each year. Our pea harvest begins around July 10th, while the beans appear around August 10th and continue until the first frost.

In recent years, we introduced a new specialty to our lineup: pea tendrils. These tender baby pea plants are an excellent addition to any salad, offering a unique and delightful taste. You can enjoy pea tendrils from late May until early July each year.

We take immense pride in nurturing the land and producing exceptional crops. Our commitment to quality, flavour, and sustainability drives everything we do.