Every year, the Calgary Stampede and BMO Bank of Montreal recognize outstanding farm families in southern Alberta. The awards program was created to promote a renewed urban-rural relationship and to recognize outstanding southern Alberta farm families who best typify the value of the family farmer to our society.
The Sandum family is a great example of being rooted deep in tradition while still embracing the technological advances of the future.
Alvin and Kim Sandum’s motto for their farm, Gordon Sandum Farms Ltd., is to “continue on with the traditions that our families have made, while looking forward to new opportunities and innovations.”
The BMO Farm Family Award winner from Wheatland County has roots tracing back to 1927 when Alvin’s grandparents, Sigrid and Barney Sandum, emigrated from Norway. A couple of years later they built the original homestead that is still owned and farmed by members of the
Sandum family. In 1959, Alvin’s father and mother, Gordon and Helen, purchased the land from Gordon’s parents, along with his brother, Ted, to form Sandum Brothers Farming. The brothers farmed together for over 20 years before deciding to split into two companies. Gordon’s son, Alvin, is the current caretaker of the farm and worked alongside his father for many years. Gordon and Helen taught their children by example and were a large influence on who they are today. Therefore, after Gordon & Helen passed away, Alvin & his wife, Kim (a fourth-generation farmer herself), decided to keep the farm name in honour of them.
Today, Alvin and Kim’s children – son Wacy and daughter Ciara, as well as her husband Riley – are also involved in the daily operations of the farm. It was a proud moment for the family when this past year they expanded to the fifth generation with the addition of their first grandson, Heston.
“Family is important to us, whether immediate or extended,” reflects Kim. Therefore, it’s also no surprise Alvin and his cousins work together to help each other out when needed – b sharing equipment, helping with cattle or harvest.
Gordon Sandum Farms is a 7,200-acre mixed operation of grain and cattle. The Sandums have 300 head of Charolais/Red Angus cross commercial cows, which they breed to Hereford bulls each year. Calving season in February is always busy, but to help with safety and ease of the season the Sandums have installed cameras in the calving barn.
“Alvin’s dad always said, ‘If you’re going to have animals, you need to take care of them,’” shared Kim & Alvin. Therefore, these are words they respect and live by.
Their attention to the care to their animals is also transferable to the land. The Sandums ensure they rotate grazing, use water troughs in the pastures to keep cattle out of waterways, and re-purpose the straw and manure to spread back on the land to add nutrients to the soil. They also make sure they seed their crops of wheat, barley, canola and peas in a rotation via no-till methods, as well as test soil and adjust fertilizer applications. They do whatever they can – whether that be inter-row seeding, utilizing GPS in their equipment or implementing straight-cut practices during harvest – to help conserve moisture and prevent soil erosion. They have also been proactive about producing natural energy by using solar panels on the farm to source and contribute back to the grid. In addition, they have three windmills as part of the Wheatland Wind Project to produce wind energy for the community.
A big part of the values instilled by their parents, included stewardship to their local community of Hussar, which Alvin and Kim have continued to pass down. Alvin has served many years on the Hussar Ag Society, including holding leadership roles of president and director. Kim also currently serves on the Community Enhancement Regional Board (CERB) for Wheatland County, which she has done for the past 10 years, as well as sits on the board of directors for Duck Lake Community Hall. Both she and Alvin help run their annual baseball tournament. When the kids were younger, they were actively involved in coaching (Alvin especially in hockey leagues), parent councils, associations and other local athletics. 4-H was also an organization that played an active part in the Sandums’ lives, where both Alvin & Kim and their two children were active leaders and members. Although they have no direct ties to 4-H currently, Kim, Ciara and Wacy volunteer at public speaking contests and show/sale days. Ciara, Riley and Wacy are increasingly taking on more leadership in planning community events as well.
Through Alvin and Kim’s commitment and hard work on the farm, they hope the next generations of their family can be raised in a lifestyle rooted in hard work, community involvement and family, as well.
