MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - Five agriculture-related businesses and organizations operating in Mountain View County took part in Alberta Open Farm Days over the weekend.
The two-day event held Aug. 16 and 17 gives Albertans an opportunity to experience farms and understand where their food comes from. Hosts meet with visitors, provide tours of their operations and often offer a taste of local foods direct from the producer.
Visitors were encouraged to check out ALCLA Native Plants, a nursery east of Carstairs, Audley Family Farm east of Didsbury, Olds College Smart Farm, Shirley's Greenhouse southeast of Didsbury and Rafter U7 Ranch and Wellness Centre southwest of Carstairs.
The later was prepared to provide an unforgettable experience for visitors from getting up close with cattle to exploring the ranch's unique wellness programs.
Rafter U7 Ranch and Wellness Centre is pioneering a new approach to well-being, merging agriculture with mental health services to create transformative experiences for individuals and groups.
Staff offer an Equus Experience to build relationships with horses, the Ultimate Bullfighting experience to dive into rodeo bullfighting with the professionals involved, counselling services customized for individuals or group counselling, corporate and team wellness, and beef sales.
The Rafter U7 team consists of three members: Brett Monea, Amy Monea and Angie Payne.
Brett is a professional rodeo bullfighter, rancher, carpenter and facilitator, who co-owns the Rafter U7 with his wife Amy. They moved to the ranch in June 2015.
"Rafter U7 is our home, it is where we raise and care for our commercial cow-calf herd, our miniature cattle herd and offer our mental health-based services," said Amy, a therapist at the ranch who has a masters in social work.
Angie, a counselling therapist at Rafter U7, moved her horses to the ranch in July 2015.
"I've been co-facilitating with horses for 13 years to support people through hard spots in life," Angie said. "I strive to see people become more compassionate to themselves and begin to move in the world in a more mindful way."
During their feature at the Alberta Open Farm Days, the team looked forward to meeting new people, seeing them connect with the animals and answer the many questions guests ask, especially kids.
Brett looked forward to having people enjoy what he has the opportunity to enjoy on a daily basis.
"Allowing people to get up close to cattle and see things they might not ordinarily get to see ... I love teaching and am excited to share my passion for agriculture and cattle," he said.
Amy and Angie expected to welcome at least 100 guests again this year. While guests may plan their trip according to the weather, Amy says, "we do have indoor facilities to still be able to provide a fun experience even if it's raining."
Amy and Angie were both mental health professionals running their own private practices before co-facilitating together, and that is what inspired the idea behind Rafter U7 Ranch and Wellness Centre.
Brett's love of cattle was paired with their powerful partnership and facilitation style to give birth to corporate team-building and leadership workshops.
Angie also brought an urban perspective and curiosity toward learning about how cattle is raised and what goes into an operation like the one Amy and Brett were leading on the ranch.
"This sparked the passion for also bridging that urban rural gap through opportunities like Alberta Open Farm Days and really growing the programming for mental health through our farm," Amy said.
According to Brett, in ranching and farming, they are dependent on the markets for the price and purchase of their products. Hence, "diversifying in mental health and wellness helps to build stability in the farm and also serves the greater community in more ways."
- With files from Albertan staff
