Early Dawn Farm: educating guests on regenerative agriculture in Canada

In honour of World Tourism Day on September 27th, we’ll be sharing some good news stories from Cochrane Tourism Operators who have unique solutions to use tourism to impact positive change.

If you’re a traveller who craves meaningful experiences – the kind that can teach you valuable life skills – then Early Dawn Farm needs to be on your radar. This 40-acre family-run farm in Water Valley, Alberta (just north of Cochrane) is dedicated to teaching the practices of regenerative agriculture in Canada through tourism. Cheese making, backyard composting, and rainwater harvesting workshops are just a few of the ways the farm offers education. 

Visionary homesteaders building a legacy

Dawn and Bruce Kay are the couple behind Early Dawn Farm. With a deep-rooted passion for the land and an unwavering commitment to community, the Kays have transformed their homestead into an educational hub. 

In 1987, they bought the property that would become the sustainable tourism destination it is today. “It started because we wanted to grow our own food and raise our family here,” Bruce says.

Dawn, with a background as a zookeeper and animal health technician, brought her expertise to the farm, complementing Bruce’s horticultural education. Together, they set out to live off the land, embracing a philosophy that’s now known as regenerative agriculture in Canada.  

Regenerative agriculture focuses on restoring and enhancing the soil, employing techniques like rotational grazing and permaculture principles. “It’s similar to how bison took care of the land before we came along,” Bruce says. 

Learn hands-on about regenerative agriculture in Canada

Today, Early Dawn Farm is a small, artisanal operation. It’s home to a large garden, a small flock of LaMancha dairy goats, Katahdin sheep, a family dairy cow named Lavender, ducks, chickens, and bees – all respectfully raised and cared for. 

Through workshops in soap making, foraging, and beekeeping, guests of the farm learn the skills to reduce their reliance on distant supply chains. The Kays’ approach is rooted in experiential learning where visitors learn hands-on and reconnect with the origins of their food. Guests also have the opportunity to stay in historic buildings on the farm for a wholly immersive experience.

In addition to running workshops, Early Dawn Farm also sells its products to a small group of other local farmers. “Our philosophy is that we need more small farms feeding communities more directly,” Bruce says. “It’s about community for us.” 

Ready to step into a living classroom where sustainable practices are taught, learned, and lived every day? Check out Early Dawn Farm’s events page for upcoming workshops.

Looking for more ways to experience sustainable tourism in Cochrane? Download the Explore Cochrane app to discover what our small, welcoming town has to offer.