A Kathyrn-area farm was recently recognized for its century-long history in Rocky View County (RVC).
Henry Shierman, owner of Shierman Farms, and his family recently received the Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award – which, according to the Government of Alberta’s website, “recognizes farm families who have continuously owned and actively operated the same land for 100 years or more.”
“It was very nice to get recognized, and I guess it’s really nice for my dad,” he said. “We’re blessed with a pretty good heritage.”
The farm originated with Shierman’s grandfather, also named Henry Shierman. According to Shierman, Henry and his family immigrated to Canada from Russia in 1908. After working for CP Rail for some years, he began renting land in the Kathyrn area until he purchased a quarter section on Jan. 27, 1919, where the family lives to this day.
“They had a mixed farm, I guess you’d call it,” Shierman said. “They would have had milk cows and some beef cows, a few chickens and some turkeys and some pigs. They were growing wheat and barley.”
Shierman’s father, Harry, was born the same year the farm began. Shierman said Harry grew up working on the farm, eventually inheriting the operation in the 1950s. Harry, who celebrated his 100th birthday this month, eventually retired to Calgary.
“I guess he was probably 89 when he drove the combine last,” Shierman said.
Shierman took over the farm a few decades later, in the late 1970s, farming alongside his brothers Bill and Gary. Today, the Shiermans crop about 4,500 acres and ranch a hundred head of cattle.
“My son [David] and a nephew [Mark, Bill’s son] are actually coming up now on the farm,” he said. “They’re working their way on the farm now.”
Shierman’s daughter-in-law, Quincy, submitted an application for the award to the provincial government. According to the government's website, farm families are eligible when they currently own and have continuously farmed the same land, including “the land not being cash-rented or subdivided to a non-family member.”
“When your family’s been on the land and it’s still in your name and you’ve been farming on the land for 100 years, then I guess they give you a 100 award,” Shierman said.
The family received a 10-inch by 14-inch brass plaque that can be mounted outdoors commemorating the farm’s legacy, along with a congratulatory letter.
The recognition was special for the family, Shierman said, especially with more and more families moving away from their agricultural roots. He added the award was particularly meaningful to Harry, who remains in good health and was as pleased as anyone by the recognition.
“It’s kind of a nice heritage, and hopefully we can keep it going,” Harry said.
Shierman said he, too, was honoured by the award.
“I guess you feel it’s nice to be recognized,” he said. “[You feel] proud, I guess, of being on the farm that long and having it in our name for that long.”
