For many people Blaine and Leona Staples had it all ñ great education and excellent jobs as managers of the Goldeye Center in Nordegg.But it was away from the home she knew as The Jungle Farm, away from the tranquil rural lifestyle that had been part of Leona's family for a century. Yes, distant voices were quietly but unmistakably calling them back.And when Leona's parents retired in 1996 the decision was made. It was back to The Jungle Farm, eight kilometres north of Innisfail.The couple chose to expand the farm for strawberries and vegetables to complement the grain farm. Fifteen years later the quiet personal lifestyle choice that was made has evolved to become one of Central Alberta's most revered and respected attractions for both locals and visitors outside the region as the best postcard image of a healthy rural lifestyle.ìIf you love agriculture this is a good business to be in,î said Leona. ìWe touch so many people and give them a chance to experience the farm. We touch over 1,000 children through tours. We have programs that fit their curriculum. This is a great supplement.îAs for Blaine, a University of Alberta graduate with a master's degree in agriculture, the call to come back to the farm was easy ñ it was and always will be firmly entrenched in his soul.ìIt was a real treat and opportunity to come back,î said Blaine. ìIt's been a real opportunity to not only use my education and further it but I am learning new things all the time.îAnd year after year the couple works at making sure there is a long list of services and amenities to offer the public at The Jungle Farm, which utilizes 100 acres on the 800-acre property for its operation. The Jungle Farm season starts in May and closes at the end of October, and is open six days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through to Saturday.Along with their homegrown vegetables from the fields, there is The Jungle General Store which also provides B.C. fruits, preserves, local crafts, as well as lunch dishes, cold drinks and ice cream.The Jungle Farm has just recently hosted its first ever Garden Tour, an all-day event that featured a wagon ride to the vegetable garden.ìWe have so many people who want to see vegetables and how we grow them,î said Leona. ìThey are always asking to go out to the field. We thought this would be an opportunity to show them.îAnd while the July 16 special event was a success, it was on to the annual Strawberry Festival a week later where visitors learned how to make their own jam, heard live music, took wagon rides and enjoyed strawberry sundaes.But if anyone missed the festival there is much more planned for this season, including the Aug. 27 kickoff to the pumpkin season, the Sauerkraut Festival on Sept. 17 and the Family Fall Festival on Oct.1.Beginning on Aug. 27 The Jungle Farm is offering all its popular fall amenities, including the Pumpkinator, Corn Maze, Pumpkin Slingshot, Bale Maze, Jumping Balls, Duck Races, Story Book Walk, Scarecrow Factory and much more.For more detailed information on The Jungle Farm and its operations contact (403) 227-4231 or visit the website at www.thejunglefarm.com
