BMO and the Calgary Stampede celebrate farm families as a tribute to Alberta agriculture
CALGARY – Following a year of unprecedented circumstances, BMO Bank of Montreal and the Calgary Stampede are proud to belatedly recognize the southern Alberta farm families who received 2020 BMO Farm Family Awards. Each year 19 families are selected for their contributions to the agriculture industry and their community, and are traditionally celebrated at a special awards ceremony during the annual Calgary Stampede. With the cancellation of the 2020 Stampede as a result of the global pandemic, last year’s winners could not be recognized in the traditional way. However, their passion for farming and dedication to their communities and family farms remains significant, particularly during these challenging times.
“The BMO Farm Family Awards recognize the positive contributions farmers across Alberta have made to their communities and the vital role they play in the health and sustainability of the economy,” said Lynda Taylor, Senior Vice President and Head, Agriculture and Agribusiness, BMO Bank of Montreal. “BMO has a long and proud history of supporting Canada’s agricultural community, and we are thrilled to honour the leadership, innovative approach to farming, and commitment to western values that these families have shown. Congratulations to 2020’s winning families.”
The BMO Farm Family Awards aim to maintain a primary focus on agriculture and agri-food at the Calgary Stampede and within southern Alberta, promote the relationship between urban and rural communities and create awareness about agriculture and the value of the family farm. Every year, each of the municipal districts in southern Alberta nominates one family who displays the qualities of a Farm Family to be recognized for their accomplishments.
“Family farms are the bedrock of Alberta agriculture. Their passion and dedication to preserving their land and way of life is a testament to their grit and innovation. Farming isn’t easy – it constantly evolves. There are tough moments that can strain families and test their resolve but these farm families represent the best of the strongest, longest-lasting industry in Alberta and they’re just getting started,” said Alberta Minister of Agriculture, Devin Dreeshen.
Each Farm Family will receive a personalized gate sign celebrating their recognition as a BMO Farm Family Award winner.
The two winners of the 2020 BMO Farm Family Awards from our area are:
Special Areas No. 2 - Kingcott Family
Through two world wars, the Depression and the advent of modern agriculture, a Kingcott has worked the land in Rose Lynn, about a 30-minute drive southeast of Hanna.
Today, David and Wendy Kingcott, their son Trevor and his wife, Kelly, and their 13-year-old grandchildren, Abby and Jaxon, are carrying on the century-plus family tradition.
“Not many families can say they have stayed in the farm and ranch business through the Dirty Thirties as well as the economy that faces all of us now,” David says. “Farming will always be in our blood. It gives us much pleasure and pride knowing that Trevor loves it as much as we do and is working to continue the legacy for his family.”
In 1909, David’s grandfather came from England to Rose Lynn with a group of 10 families that settled in the area. He was soon joined by his bride, followed by his brothers in 1915. David’s grandparents ran a dairy farm, raised chicken for eggs and for eating, and had extensive gardens. They’d load their horse-drawn wagon and travel the streets of Hanna, selling fresh eggs, milk, chickens and produce, helped by their six children.
When David’s father, George, was in his teens, he led a shift into beef cattle. George then bought his uncle’s farm about a mile from the old homestead and set about building his own operation. George and his wife, Joyce, had six children. In high school, David and his brother Richard bought a farm with their father’s help, and all three farmed together. The brothers took over the family farm in the early ’90s, running the farms together until their children were old enough to start working with them. David and Richard then amicably divided the operation.
Today, the 2020 BMO Farm Family for the M.D. of Special Areas # 2 run 500 cow/calf pairs — half purebred Hereford, half Angus-Hereford cross — as well as 75 bred heifer replacements and 30 bulls. The 9,600-acre operation grows all its own feed for the cattle from grain, corn silage, alfalfa and dryland hay. They background their calves on their small feedlot, which they also use to custom feed some of the calves from neighbouring farms.
David and Wendy’s three children — Trevor, Robin and Blake — helped on the farm as they grew up. Robin is married with three boys and works in a law office in Brooks while Blake lives in Red Deer and has one daughter. Trevor is taking on more of the running of the farm, another step in the continuation of the Kingcott legacy.
“He’s been farming with me since he was in high school,” David says. “We’re very proud of being a century farm. We’re also proud of the community that we’re part of.”
Both David and Trevor have been directors with the Berry Creek Ag Society, in addition to being part of the Hardgrass Bronc Match. The entire family are active in the Pollockville Curling Club, with Trevor as resident president and Wendy as a former director. Trevor is a coach in Hanna’s junior curling program, which Abby and Jaxon take part in.
“It’s been the best place to watch our family grow. Now we get to watch our grandchildren grow up on the farm and enjoy this lifestyle as much as we have.”
The Lyon Family - Special Areas #3
In 1978, when Dwight and Wendy Lyon looked out at the land they were thinking of buying, they didn’t see an unforgiving, arid landscape. Instead, they saw an opportunity to build a lasting legacy for themselves and their family.
Since then, the 2020 BMO Farm Family for the M.D. of Special Areas # 3 has done just that on their operation at Big Stone, located 142 kilometres northwest of Medicine Hat. The couple raised their four children on the ranch and have nine grandchildren with one more on the way. The operation has grown to 450 head of cattle on more than 12,000 acres.
“We purchased neighboring farms and land with Dwight’s brother and his family, and we’ve never looked back. We live directly below the Blood Indian Reservoir and Park,” Wendy says. “We love our location down in the creek and built our home there in 1986. Special Areas has been good to us. We love our surroundings and the people in our communities, including Big Stone, Youngstown and Oyen.”
What started as a mixed farming operation has evolved into one focused primarily on ranching. Crop land has been seeded to grass and hay as the Lyons built up their cattle herd. At crunch times, it’s all hands-on deck to do what needs doing.
“We have cattle drives twice a year and we move cattle 15 miles each way. Our kids and the grandchildren all help out and love it. Of course, our neighbors help out as well,” Wendy says. “We usually do two old-fashioned brandings a year. They’re a lot of work, but they’re also fun community events that allows everyone — kids included — to learn about ranching life.”
If you’re lucky enough to take part in an event on the Lyon ranch, you’ll be rewarded with a slice or two of Wendy’s famous cream pies. (Not to mention the fresh homemade doughnuts at the corral coffee break.) Her daughters and the ladies of the community help put on the feast needed to feed the 70 helpers come branding time. While oldest daughter Kim, her partner and two children live in Penhold, second daughter Stacey ranches outside of Oyen with her husband and their four children. Third daughter Sheri and her son are also nearby in Oyen, close enough to come home to help out.
Dwight and Wendy’s son Russell and daughter-in-law Dawn are part of the operation. Russ has worked for the local feed lot for the past decade, but is now focusing on the ranch as he transitions to taking over its operation. The couple, who are expecting their third child this summer, both work off-farm as well.
The older grandchildren spend time on the ranch in the summer, working cattle, fencing and haying. The younger set like feeding the cows in the tractor with grandpa and checking cows on the side by side. Their children and the grandchildren attend or have attended Youngstown Kindergarten and Youngstown School, two of the many community staples the family supports. Their contributions have enriched the Big Stone Community and Ladies clubs, the Youngstown United Church, the Youngstown Curling Rink and many more. It’s part and parcel of their ranching life, Wendy says.
“It’s a true farming community here. When we first moved down, we were here a week and felt like we’d been here a year. It’s a really great community.”
