Donald and Betty Schissel received the 2018 Master Farm Family Award July 19, during a stop in Bragg Creek as part of Rocky View County’s (RVC) annual Agricultural Tour.
The Master Farm Family award has been presented since 1989 to farming families that demonstrate excellence in community involvement, team farm management, technical farm practices and agricultural business and industry involvement. RVC residents and agricultural societies are responsible for nominating candidates for the award.
Schissel said he was happy to receive the prestigious award.
“Years ago, [the award] was a really big deal and nowadays, I think it still means something,” he said. “I’m one of the few in the area that somebody recognized the fact that we try to do a good job farming.”
At the presentation, Coun. Daniel Henn – Chair of the Agricultural Service Board – outlined the Schissel family’s history of farming in the Beiseker area.
“The family has been a part of RVC for several decades, and throughout that time has shown dedication, perseverance and commitment in all that they do,” he said.
The Schissel family first arrived in the Beiseker area in 1910, and purchased their farm homestead in 1926. Schissel became the third generation to take over the farm’s operations – previously run by his father, uncle and grandmother – after he obtained a diploma in business from SAIT in 1984.
The family ceased cattle ranching in the mid-1980s, and the Schissel farm is now a grain operation which rotates through wheat, spring wheat, malt barley and canola, as well as recently-added crops like lentils and camelina.
“The Schissels strive to stay current in their farming practices,” Henn said. “[They] started using direct seeding in the late ‘80s, and saline grass to reclaim some of the poorer lands.”
“I’ve always been a bit of a forward thinker, but lots of times, I judge that on how much money I’m going to make,” Schissel said. “You have to stay sustainable.”
The Schissels are also highly involved in the community. Schissel works with a number of boards and associations including the Crossfield Elks, Beiseker Lions, the Beiseker Ag Society and the Beiseker Arena Board. He’s also the director of the Kiba Seed Cleaning Plant. Betty has been involved with the Beiseker Ag Society and has coached local sports teams.
After the passing of Don’s father Gerry Schissel, the family established a scholarship in his honour at the Beiseker Community School.
“The scholarship looks at excellence in music, academics and community involvement, as these are held as areas of personal significance to both [Schissel] and his late father,” Henn said.
Schissel said as proud as he is of the award, he hopes it will set an example for the next generation that takes over the farm.
“I’m hoping it motivates him,” said Schissel, pointing to his son Gerald. “My son’s sort of taking over, so I’m hoping it motivates him to go on and be progressive in the way we farm.”
