If there is one thing that makes up Alberta, it’s farmers.
Agriculture is Alberta’s largest renewable industry, with exports valued at more than $9 billion annually. There are more than 43,000 farms in Alberta, totalling 50.5 million acres.
Alberta has a rich history full of homesteads, grain and cattle, dating back to 1874 before the province was created.
The homesteading method of acquiring land required hopeful farmers to apply for land and to complete four requirement while living on the land. These requirements included clearing at least 10 acres of land, undertaking some cultivation of the land, building a habitable dwelling and farm buildings, and to live on the land for six months of a year.
This is a familiar story to the Hanson family who was honoured with the Century Farm and Ranch award by the government of Alberta. The Hanson family, along with nine other family from surrounding areas were honoured at the Encana Conference Centere in the Rosebud Mercantile on Thursday, June 23. Among those honoured were the Christensen family of Standard, the Hickle-Walker family of Hanna, the Roberts family of Oyen, the Garnett family of Carseland, the Jorgensen family of Del Bonita, the Evans family of Fort Macleod, the Fieldberg family of Bindloss, the Cockwill family of Arrowwood and the Schlaht family of Lomond. Recipients of this award receive a bronze plaque to commemorate the milestone.
Dale Hanson’s grandfather, Harvey, immigrated to Canada from the United States of America just over a hundred years ago and set up a homestead in the Strathmore/ Glechien area. Harvey met and married local girl Nellie, and had six sons together. The farm has been in the family ever since.
The most recent caretaker of the farm, Dale Hanson, along with his wife, Vikki, and children, Jill and Eric, reflect back on the memories they had on their family farm.
“We are very thankful for this award, of course, but we want to recognize how many people it took to get us this far. We could never have done it alone,” says Dale Hanson.
“Farming isn’t as popular as it used to be. When our kids went off to college, we always told them to bring home the kids who didn’t have anywhere to go for the holidays. Those kids experienced branding the cows, all of our “pets” which included skunks and ducks, and riding ATV’s. They went home in awe of our lifestyle. It was amazing to share it with them,” says Vikki Hanson.
Alberta was officially recognized as a province in 1905.
“It is amazing to think that some of these farms have been around almost as long as Alberta,” says Dale Hanson.
Oneil Carlier, Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry reflects on how important it is to recognize these hard working families,
“Farming is not just a job, it’s a way of life, and the ongoing success of the agriculture sector depends greatly on the hard work and commitment of Alberta’s farming families. It is an honour to recognize people who contribute so much to their communities and acknowledge this incredible legacy that is passed down through many generations.”
The Alberta Government has recognized over 47 families this year who reached the 100 year milestone.
