AUGUST 2026
What began as a traditional grain farming operation has blossomed into a fresh, innovative agricultural venture. Forcade Farms has been redefining what it means to grow locally, combining four generations of farming knowledge with a new vision rooted in flowers, sustainability, and community connection.
Rooted in Family and Tradition
Forcade Farms is operated by Danielle and her husband Yanick, fourth-generation farmers who live and work on the original homestead first established in 1935. Deeply connected to the land, the couple continues a long-standing agricultural legacy while embracing new ways to keep their farm resilient and thriving.
Danielle brings a unique perspective to farm life. With a Master’s degree in Education and a background in teaching, she approaches every new challenge with curiosity and a love of learning. She and Yanick were married the day before the pandemic began and have since built something remarkable together on the land their family has farmed for nearly a century.
Like many farm families, rising land, equipment, and input costs presented real challenges. In response, Danielle and Yanick made the decision to diversify. What started with planting thousands of peonies in 2021 quickly grew into a passion-driven expansion into a wide variety of blooms. The following winter, they built a greenhouse to extend their growing season and offer even more varieties.
From Grain to Garden: A New Kind of Harvest
Today, Forcade Farms is home to more than 33 varieties of peonies, along with dahlias, and gladiolus grown in their on-site greenhouse. Each season builds on their commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability.
Danielle is passionate about offering flowers that are fresher, more affordable, and better for the environment than imported alternatives and Sturgeon County gives her a natural advantage in doing exactly that. The combination of rich soil and Alberta’s growing season has been key to producing a premium local product that stands on its own against anything imported.
She even jokes that she wasn’t much of a flower person before this venture, her wedding bouquet was just three white flowers. But it’s hard not to fall in love with what you grow, and the Forcade farm is proof of that.
Looking Ahead
Forcade Farms continues to grow in more ways than one. They are currently collaborating with Ag for Life to create educational videos showcasing farms across Alberta, work that highlights not only their own story, but the broader agricultural community they are proud to be part of.
Danielle’s twin daughters, affectionately called “the interns” are already getting their hands dirty helping out on the farm. As Forcade Farms looks ahead, Danielle and Yanick remain focused on building partnerships, expanding their offerings, and sharing locally grown flowers with more of their community.
Experience the Farm Yourself
Beyond growing flowers, Danielle loves sharing the experience with her community. Throughout the season, Forcade Farms hosts a variety of hands-on workshops from on-farm u-pick events to off-site collaborations across the region, giving flower lovers of all ages a chance to connect with locally grown blooms in a fun and memorable way.
Whether you’re looking for a unique outing, a creative experience, or simply want to bring home something beautiful, there’s something for everyone. Check out upcoming workshops and events at forcadefarms.ca.
Supporting Local Entrepreneurs Through Mashup Labs
Danielle also participated in a past cohort of Mashup Labs, a rural innovation program that supports entrepreneurs in building and growing their businesses. Programs like Mashup Labs help local business owners develop ideas, strengthen their operations, and create new opportunities right here in Sturgeon County.
A new cohort is launching this September. If you’re interested in exploring your own business idea or taking your venture to the next level, we encourage you to learn more and apply.
