What’s in the Field? A Closer Look at Alberta’s Crops — and Why They Matter
- agforlife
- Aug 6
- 2 min read
Every time you drive past a field in Alberta, you’re passing by more than just plants in the ground. You’re seeing the start of your food, the backbone of our rural communities, and the result of generations of knowledge, hard work, and innovation.
But how many of us really know what we’re looking at?
That bright yellow bloom? It’s likely canola. The fuzzy heads swaying in the wind? Could be barley or wheat. And that tall crop that looks like sweet corn? It might be silage — grown to feed livestock, not people.
At Ag for Life, we believe that understanding what’s growing around us is the first step in building food literacy, agriculture awareness, and a stronger connection to the land.
That’s why we created What’s in the Field? - our free downloadable publication — to help Albertans of all ages get curious about crops.
🌱 Why it matters
Agriculture is all around us — but unless you’re involved in it, it’s easy to miss the story that each field is telling.
Learning to identify what’s growing in the field isn’t just about fun facts (though we love those too). It’s about:
🌾 Knowing where your food comes from
🌍 Understanding sustainability and soil health
👨🌾 Appreciating the work farmers do every season
🔍 Building critical thinking about food systems, climate, and land use
For teachers, parents, and curious learners, it’s also a way to bring real-world learning into everyday life — on field trips, road trips, or right outside the window.
📘 Get Your Free Copy
We’ve pulled together easy-to-understand crop profiles, real photos, and Alberta-focused facts in our beautifully designed What’s in the Field? publication.
Whether you’re an educator, parent, student, or ag-curious adult, this resource will help you:
Identify Alberta’s most common crops
Learn their uses (from food to fuel to feed)
Spark meaningful conversations about food, farming, and sustainability
👉 Download your free copy here: What's in the Field?
💬 Join the conversation
Have you spotted something growing in the fields near you? Share a photo, tag us on social, and tell us what you think it is — or ask us if you’re not sure!
Let’s learn together and celebrate the incredible role agriculture plays in our daily lives.
