Krause & Waldner Families
Reflecting on the past and look to the future of the Crooked Tree Ranch
After nearly 60 years of farming, Stan and Robin Krause from Jenner, Alberta, will officially be hanging up their hats at the end of this harvest season. While it is the end of one era, it is the continuation of another, as William “Willie” and Kendra Waldner will carry on aspects of the operation. Therefore, it is fitting that the Krause and Waldner families are the 2024 BMO Farm Family from Special Areas #2, as we reflect on the past and look to the future of the Crooked Tree Ranch.
Representing Special Areas No. 2, the Krause and Waldner families were thrilled to be invited guests at the BMO Farm Family Awards Brunch, and afternoon rodeo performance, July 8, 2024. The annual event takes place during the Calgary Stampede, to celebrate and recognize southern Alberta Farm Families for their commitment to the agriculture industry, their community and to western heritage. Together with BMO, The Calgary Stampede recognized 18 Farm Families, presenting each family with an award and Family Photo. Left to right: Beth Peat, Robin Krause, Stan Krause, Willie Waldner, Kendra Waldner, Brooklyn Waldner and Nicole Waldner.
In 1914, both sets of Stan’s grandparents came to the area outside of Hilda, Alberta, from Crimea and established their farms. His father, Reinhold, was a farmer and Stan was eager to follow in his family’s footsteps. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1964, with the help of his father and the Farm Credit Corporation, Stan purchased a 4,500-acre ranch — 25 miles south of Cereal. Stan married his wife, Robin, in 1966. Two years later, along with the birth of their son Charles, they purchased a 25,000-acre ranch located on the Red Deer River. Four years after the purchase, Stan and Robin downsized to 7,000 acres and started a new venture of 400 acres of pivot irrigation, which was a steep learning curve.
Stan and Robin recall those next 10 years as a busy time; building a farmstead, learning how to grow corn silage, using appropriate fertilizers and pesticides, choosing new varieties of crops to maintain maximum production, and adding their daughter, Beth, to the family. Five years after breaking ground on the first irrigation fields, they developed 400 more acres and added two more pivots. However, the one constant through these changes was their commitment to the land. “We tried to be good stewards of the prairie,” Robin shares. “We grew some of the crops to help take pressure off the pastures in the dry years.” “And when it has been really dry, we have turned the cattle onto irrigated pastures,” Stan adds.
As their irrigated crops grew, so did their backgrounding cattle business. As they grew more silage, especially corn and barley, they utilized it as feed for their commercial cattle. The feedlot also became a means to market their irrigated crops. Soon, neighbours were asking them to background their calves and they grew to a 1,000-head custom feeding operation. Today Willie and Kendra still have 270 cows and custom background 800 calves. The 1980s also saw many changes for the Krause family, including embracing the internet and being one of the first to utilize it to market their steers. They also changed some of their herd genetics by crossbreeding to Red Angus bulls and marketing their Hereford Angus Cross open yearling heifers at local bull sales. In 1983, Willie Waldner came to work on the ranch and eventually built his own herd. Through the years of working together, it grew into more than a working relationship. In 2013, Stan and Robin rented the irrigation and cattle operation to Willie and his family; and later sold them a significant portion of the ranch in 2016.
After growing up on the ranch and helping their parents, both Charles and Beth opted for careers off the ranch. Charles has made a career in IT, and Beth went to teach in England and now has her own family in Scotland. Stan and Robin continue to help during busy times but are officially “closing shop” as they sell the remainder of their irrigated land later this year.
As both Stan and Robin’s families grew up being involved in their communities, it naturally became important for them to be involved as well. Stan has held leadership positions in the Agriculture Service Board, Buffalo & District Ag Society (51 years), the Prairie Rose School Division as trustee (11 years) and chairman (17 years), two different gas co-ops, Alberta Cattle Commission and Alberta Grazing Leaseholders Association. Robin taught kindergarten, was a scout leader, served the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters and the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society as chairwoman and board member. They have both been very involved as leaders and teachers at Rainy Hills Lutheran Church and in 4-H. Robin still helps judge public speaking competitions. During Canada’s 125th Celebration in 1992, Robin received a commemorative medal in recognition of her service to compatriots, community and Canada. Willie serves on the Allotment Committee for the community pasture and Kendra works with the Buffalo Ladies Club and is a leader in the Jenner 4-H Multi Club.
As the Krauses and Waldners celebrate the past 60 years, they have many accomplishments and memories to reflect on. “We’ll miss this place hugely,” Robin chokes up. “It is a beautiful place and it was home for us for many years.” While they are looking forward to becoming involved in their new community, they are certain there will be regular trips to visit the Waldners and Crooked Tree Ranch that was near and dear to them for so long.