BMO and the Calgary Stampede celebrate Alberta farm families
Calgary – BMO Bank of Montreal and the Calgary Stampede recognized 20 southern Alberta families for their incredible contributions and honourable efforts to Alberta’s agriculture at the 19th annual BMO Farm Family Awards (on Monday).
“The BMO Farm Family Awards are an exciting way for both farmers and ranchers in the province to come together, show support for and promote the increasingly important urban-rural relationship,” said Mike Darling, Regional Vice President, Commercial Banking, Southern Alberta, BMO Bank of Montreal. “These families have successfully melded the ideas and traditions of the past with modern agri-business practices. Further, these significant advancements in farm management highlight the impact these best practices have made on the Alberta economy.”
The Hon. Verlyn Olson, QC, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, was present along with BMO’s Mike Darling and Bob Thompson, president and chairman of the board, Calgary Stampede, to congratulate the winners of the 2014 BMO Farm Family Awards.
“Today’s modern farm families are both savvy entrepreneurs and innovators, who continue to embrace new techniques to improve their day-to-day operations and put high quality food on our tables,” said Minister Olson. “Their hard work and commitment to their families and communities makes them part of the bedrock of our agriculture sector and rural Alberta. It is an honour to recognize this year’s award recipients for their achievements.”
The BMO farm families are chosen by the Alberta Agricultural Service Board; the awards are given to families who demonstrate various environmental initiatives and skills that have changed farming communities around southern Alberta. The BMO Farm Family Award recipients demonstrate a strong commitment and passion to the rural way of life, assisting their communities and sharing knowledge with the up-and-coming generation. All of their attributes positively represent western heritage and family values.
“The Stampede is pleased to recognize and honour the chosen families who make a difference in Alberta communities by demonstrating new agriculture innovations and practices,” said Bob Thompson, president and chairman of the board, Calgary Stampede.
The winners of the 2014 BMO Farm Family Awards are:
Wickstrom Farms Ltd. – The Wickstrom family – County of Vulcan
Hatview Dairy Farm Ltd. – The Weiss Family – MD of Cypress
The Diamond V Ranch – Wambeke Family – MD of Foothills No. 31 (near Longview)
Silver Top Dairies – William & Rita Van Rootselaar & Family – MD of Willow Creek No.26
Thistle Ridge Ranch – Ben & Carol Tams – MD of Taber
Sereda Farms Ltd. – Ron & Sereda Family – County of Newell
Sawyer Farms Ltd. – Matthew Sawyer – County of Kneehill
Lone Star Cattle Company – Ron & Carla Ostrom – County of Wheatland
The Nelson Family Farm – Rod Nelson & Family – County of Starland
Morison Family Farms – Rod Morison & Family – County of Rocky View
Chinook Country Farms – Larry & Joy Gano – County of Mountain View
Snake Trail Hereford Ranch – Howard Davis & Family – MD of Pincher Creek, No. 9
Tony Crooymans & Sons – The Crooyman Family – County of Forty Mile, No. 8
Caseley Farms – Jack Caseley & Family – Special Areas No. 4
Blake Family Farm – John & Rod Blake & Family – MD of Ranchland (near Nanton)
B H Farms Ltd. – The Bergen-Henengouwen Family – County of Lethbridge
The Barfuss Farm – The Darcy Barfuss Family – County of Cardston
Dick Farm – David & Jackie Dick – Special Areas No. 3
Olsen Prairie Farms – The Olsen Family – County of Warner No. 5
G&L Christensen Farm Ltd. – Grant and Linda Christensen – Special Areas No. 2
(Source: Calgary Stampede)