Cypress County Farm Family Award Winners
2006 Geoff, Melanie, Gemmel, Jewelisa, & Evan Watson, Irvine, Alberta
Geoff & Melanie moved to the area from Maple Creek in 1992 and started their family. Today, Fawn Creek Ranching is a mixed farm involving cattle and crop production. They are gradually seeding their farmland back to grass and alfalfa to concentrate on cattle ranching.
During the drought a few years back, the Watson's got together with seven neighbours and with government grants, created a local water co-op that supplies clean, fresh natural spring water to their farms. The family is involved in 4-H, the Irvine Lions Club, Irvine Curling Club and many sports organizations. They have helped fund raise for the Irvine School playground upgrades and HALO - a rescue Helicopter Air Lift Operation to serve the area.
Peter and Liz Biemans started the farm near Seven Persons, Alberta in 1960 after moving to Canada from the Netherlands in 1954. The farm is a crop based irrigation operation. Over the years, numerous different crops have been produced including wheat, soft wheat, durum, winter wheat, flax, canola, lentils, dry beans, grain corn, faba beans, peas, barley, oats, alfalfa and timothy. Efforts towards conservation are ongoing, both to better utilize the soil and water resources and also for economic considerations.
There are no specific duties for each member of the family as everyone has been "cross trained". This allows more flexibility for personal time, which includes involvement in 4-H, the local community association and the Southern Alberta Conservation Association.
2004 Gene, Pam, Gina, Jamie, & Monty Ehret, Hilda, Alberta
The Ehret's are very involved in the 4-H organization in the Hilda area, where the family's roots go back five generations. Gene & Pam have both been directors of the local community association. The entire family is involved in fundraising and participation of an annual Mexico Missions trip through the Burstall Evangelical Church.
The present farm operation is a mixed farm which consist of a commercial cow herd and cultivated land used to raise their own feed as well as cereal grain to market. All family members pitch in to get the work don. The Ehret's enjoy belonging to the community working with terrific people and maintaining a place they can continue to be proud of.
2003 Jonathon, Arlene, Jordan & Jodi Aberle, Schuler, Alberta
The Aberles are well known in the Schuler area for being a hard working, community minded family. Jonathon is a volunteer firefighter, was on the playground committee and is a director with the community association. Arlene can often be found at the Schuler School working with the children, photocopying and performing any task that needs to be completed. She also helps out at track and field events and the annual book fair.
The Aberles farm east of Schuler where they grow barley, canola, spring wheat, durum wheat and dryland hay. They have been active in reclaiming saline farmland, including demonstration plots with the Agricultural Service Board.
2002 Orville, Judy, Tara, Cherie & Devin Yanke, Medicine Hat, Alberta
The Yankes are very involved in the community of Wisdom near their home, where they are recognized leaders in conservation farming. In 1970, they were one of the first dryland farms in the area to begin continuous cropping. By following the advancements of direct seeding air drills, they have diversified their operation from the typical wheat-summerfallow rotation to fall & spring seeded cereals, oilseeds and pulses, as well as forage seed crops. Reduced wind and water erosion followed by better soil tilth have been the rewards. The Yankes have been involved in hosting numerous equipment demonstration days, helped found the Dunmore Conservation Club and work tirelessly with the Southern Alberta Conservation Association (SACA).