Farming Families Honoured at Calgary Stampede

The Bolduc family, out of the M.D. of Willow Creek, recieved a 2017 BMO Farm Family Award for their Municipal District.

Dyce Bolduc says being part of the M.D. is in their blood.

"My grandfather actually exhibited the champion swine at the Claresholm and District Fair in 1914. So, they would have lived in Viking at that time. Purebred livestock have been a part of our family for a long time, as we've raised Angus in the M.D. for 50 years."

Both Dyce and his brother David are former Presidents of the Canadian Angus Association.

The Turnbull Family won the award for the M.D. of Pincher Creek. The land their farm is on was homesteaded in 1898.

The homestead used to be the halfway point, with a wagon from Brocket, where the grain elevator was, out to Twin Butte. There was an old barn there where people used to tie their horses to.

Curtis Turnbull says winning the award was totally humbling and a true honour.

"We had our 43rd bull sale this spring so we've been at this a long time. My kids are quite interested in carrying on the business, especially my oldest daughter."

This year, the Turnbull Charolais Ltd. had the top selling Charolais Yearling Bull in Canada for $49,000.

The Gallelli Family received the award for the M.D. of Rocky View. The family farms in Crossfield, where they produce grain, hay, and cattle. Their three children are the fifth generation on the farm.

Wife Leisa Gallelli says, without their kids help, the farm would not be where it is today.

"Our oldest son is an agriculture mechanic, my daughter is an animal health technician, and my youngest son does numerous things. Right now he just graduated from University and he owns some cattle and helps out where ever he can."

Leisa's great-great-grandfather was the first Mayor of Calgary when it was still considered a town.

The Tharle Family won the Farm Family Award for the M.D. of Vulcan.

Husband and Wife, Glen and Marsha, live in the house Glen's great-grandfather built after emigrating from England's Isle of Wight in 1902.

They grow wheat, barley, durum, peas, canola, rye and flax. The Family is known for the large roll they play in the community through their volunteer work.

The whole family is involved in a different number of 4-H projects including Sheep, Beef, and Horse.

The Mclean Family won the Award for the M.D. of Foothills, and ranch just outside of High River.

Roy and Lenore Mclean operate Stimson Creek Ranches with 450 cow-calf pairs, and 25 horses.  As well as running the Ranch, Roy Mclean served as a Councillor for the Municipal District for twenty years.

Son Mike Mclean says he was excited and humbled to see his family honoured.

"It was wonderful being in this room today as I watched all the other pictures rolling of the other families from all the other areas surrounding Calgary in Southern Alberta. I thought, how much alike we all are. You know although we all live special, wonderful areas and all live in wonderful communities. It was wonderful to see that across the board and still thriving in Southern Alberta."

Lenore Mclean has been riding everyday since she was two years old, and still saddles up everyday. She grew up next to Florence LaDue and Guy Weadick, who founded the Calgary Stampede.

The Calgary Stampede hosted the 2017 BMO Farm Family Awards on Monday, July 10. Some special guests in attendence include the Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Oneil Carlier, and the President and Chairmen of the Stampede Board of Directors, David Sibbald.