For the Koester family, the recipients of the 2020 BMO Farm Family for Wheatland County, their story began in 1928 when the family moved from Iowa to the Village of Rockyford.
Joe, one of nine children, and his wife, Tillie, purchased their own farmstead in 1950 and raised their eight children.
Their son Gordie and his wife, Darlene, connected while Gordie was at Olds College.
They eventually took over the family farm and raised their four children.
Growing up, the children did chores, including feeding livestock and pitching in during haying and harvest. They also took part in the Rockyford 4-H Club.
Sons Matthew and Adam became an integral part of the family farm operation.
In 2015, the boys decided to pursue their off-farm careers on a full-time basis. Bradie, one of the couple’s two daughters, and her husband, Dan, were presented with the life-changing opportunity.
“They jumped at the chance to come home and farm. That was kind of a blessing as well, as they’re the fourth generation to farm our land,” Gordie says. Conveniently, Dan came prequalified for the job: he had a career in the seed business, working his way up to general manager with Brett Young Seeds in Edmonton. “He was our friend first. We knew Dan for a year or so, then Bradie came home from Australia and met him and that was that.”
Now, Dan and Bradie are at the helm of the operation. Adam is an electrician, Matthew is a civil engineer tech, and Gordie and Darlene’s second daughter Michelle is a vice-principal.
Gordie and Darlene take joy in seeing Dan and Bradie’s children, Samantha and Brooklyn, grow up on the farm.
This year, Dan and Bradie added 1,500 rented acres, doubling the land for their enterprise which also includes pedigreed pulse and cereal production. Until 2013, the family ran 200 head of cattle, but have downsized to 75 head of Angus.
Through the decades, the Koesters have been an integral part of the community. Gordie is the past president of the Rockyford Lions Club, and past chairman of the Rockyford Agricultural Society, Hall Board, Curling Club, Parish Council, Knights of Columbus, and Minor Hockey. He’s also a 25-year member of the Seed Growers Association. Darlene helped establish ringette in the Rockyford Community 30 years ago and was a coach and manager throughout the years while her daughters played. She was also the Rockyford Rodeo secretary for 25 years in addition to driving the school bus for three decades.
Dan and Bradie are upholding the family tradition. They belong to the Rockyford Minor Hockey & Ringette Association as coaches and board members, in addition to Rockyford’s Ag. Society, Lions club, Rodeo Committee, Parish Council and Knights of Columbus. They also coach their girls’ fastball teams as well as play ringette and hockey on adult teams. Dan belongs to the Strathmore Seed Cleaning Plant and is entering his second year as chairman.
“I am definitely taking a back seat while Dan and Bradie are doing their own thing. They are calling me ‘Cow Boss,’” Gordie says with a laugh. “It is very rewarding to see our family flourish and work together. We hope our family continues to enjoy what life presents to them and never forgets their roots.”
