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.
While farming is the way of life for the Meyer family, they also know how to leave a BIG impact on their community.
The BMO Farm Family Award winner from Starland County recognizes the unique circumstances that living in a small community can bring.
“We know that volunteering in our community is vital to keep programs and facilities running,” states Sherry. Therefore, they remain involved to ensure that their small community of Delia is a vibrant and lively community in Southern Alberta.
Darren and Sherry Meyer both have strong familial ties to Starland County with both of their ancestors settling there over a century ago. Darren’s great-grandfather, Frank DeMott, homesteaded in the area in 1910. A couple of generations later, Darren joined his parents, Harold & Dianne Meyer, in farming after high school. After getting married, Darren and Sherry moved to the farm in 2007, where they purchased their own home quarter and continue to farm a mix of family property, their own purchased land and leased land.
Since Harold took a step back from farming six years ago, Darren has taken the lead on the farm operations. Today, Darren and Sherry, along with their two young daughters Taylor and Shaelyn, continue to operate Darren Meyer Farming Ltd.
The Meyers run a mixed farm operation of beef cattle and grain. As part of their crop portfolio, the Meyers grow wheat, barley, canola and peas, which are all used as forages for their 120 head of commercial Black Angus. The cattle are grazed on perennial and annual pastures, which the latter helps extend the grazing season late into the fall and early winter months. They are also working on adding some purebreds to help expand genetics within the herd. In addition to their attention to grazing, the Meyers also employ several environmentally friendly practices for their cropland. They direct seed with a one-pass system, as well as work with an agronomist to make sure that they are practicing good chemical rotation, pest management and fertilizer rates, as well as testing the soil as needed.
Working on the farm is a true family effort. As Taylor and Shaelyn have gotten older, they are also starting to become active on the farm. They help check cows during calving season and feed in the winter months, as well as go for tractor or combine rides. Darren’s father, Harold, also still helps occasionally with cattle and grain farming, especially at harvest.
Being active members within their local community of Delia is very important to the Meyers. They know how important it is to set an example for their daughters and younger generations, and their community involvement is proof of their words. Darren and Sherry have been active members of the Delia & District Agricultural Society, where Sherry has utilized her accounting skills to serve as treasurer for four years. They are also involved in their local 4-H beef club where Darren serves as a leader, as well as secretary for the Drumheller District 4-H Beef Council. Sherry is currently serving as treasurer for the Delia Curling Club, as well as is an active member (including serving as past treasurer) of Delia School Enhancement Society, which raised funds for the new Delia school built in 2020.
While Darren & Sherry’s farming roots go back many generations, they are hopeful these ties to the farmland and their community will extend to many more generations of Meyers.

Work on one berm project has been completed which has resulted in the reopening of some recreational areas, and construction on another project is ramping up which will have some temporary, and permanent, impacts to traffic.
Earth began moving on the Newcastle berm in September 2022 after council awarded the contract to Pidherney’s Inc. in the amount of some $2.2 million, and the Newcastle dog park and Ball Diamond #2 were closed to facilitate construction in the area.
Work on this portion of the project officially wrapped up as of Friday, June 23 and the ball diamond and dog park were reopened to the public. There is some scheduled work to complete planting in September 2023, and it is expected some work in this area may require further temporary closures of these facilities.
Although the dog park and ball diamond are reopened, residents and visitors to the area are being asked not to access newly seeded areas to allow grass to establish on the berm and other adjacent areas.
Construction on the downtown berm, which includes a portion adjacent to Riverside Drive East, is scheduled to begin now that Canada Day activities and celebrations are over.
This portion of the project has undergone significant changes since it was first proposed to permanently close a portion of Riverside Drive East between 3 Avenue and 4 Avenue East to accommodate the footprint of the berm. Public opposition was heard by Drumheller council during a public hearing in April 2022, and council requested alternative options be brought back to the table to allow this stretch of roadway to remain open to traffic.
Following design changes, it was determined Riverside Drive could remain open to traffic, at a reduced width starting at 3 Avenue, which will require a retaining wall.
Although Riverside Drive will remain open, the road right of way will be permanently closed, though this will not have any impacts on traffic.
Drumheller council awarded the downtown berm construction tender to Wilco Contractors Southwest Inc. in the amount of $7,293,322.60; this amount represents the total for the entire downtown berm project which extends from the Gordon Taylor Bridge, through Centennial Park behind the Aquaplex and Badlands Community Facility (BCF), up to 4 Avenue East.
Traffic through this area will be temporarily rerouted using Railway Avenue, Centre Street, and 6 Street East. Construction will also impact access to pathways throughout Centennial Park and along Riverside Drive East to 6 Street East between July and November.