The Wakulchyk family farm near Iron River has been selected as a BMO Farm Family Award recipient by FarmFair International.
FarmFair is one of Canada’s leading cattle industry expositions, held in Edmonton every November.
The Wakulchyk family first came to Canada from Russia in 1928, homesteading at Garth, Alberta south of Wolf Lake. Twenty years later they moved their operation a few miles east to the Iron River area.
The three Wakulchyk brothers and their spouses—Bill and Victoria, John and Faye, and Tom and Helen—operate 2,000 acres of cropland and another 2,000 of pasture and forage for their 120 cow-calf pairs.
All three couples were married in 1975. Two sons are working to operate the farm into the next generation.
Helen says family and community are at the heart of the operation, and it all centres around the land—the core of farming life.
“Nature is so important to them. My husband is not happy if he can’t be in the outdoors,” she said. “That’s just how he is because that’s how he’s lived all his life.”
Iron River, she said, is “a wonderful place to raise a family.”
“There’s a great school close by, and a community that is very involved with functions.”
And neighbours know the coffee’s on at the Wakulchyk farm office.
“Every morning or in the afternoon, in the winter and on Saturday mornings, lots of people stop by. It’s kind of a place that local people know. There’s always somebody there if they want to have a visit.”
According to the Farmfair International website, the Northern and Central Agricultural Service Boards select outstanding families “who best represent values of the family farm within their rural community” for the Farm Family Awards.
The award honours their farming business practices and their community involvement. This year’s Farm Family Awards Gala will be in Edmonton on November 11.
Congratulations, this is exciting
Wakulchyk’s are wonderful family orientated people! ! Extremely caring and generous individuals that mean a great deal to many of us! So pleased to see them getting the recognition they greatly deserve!
Thank you Thelma and John for your generous comment. Much appreciated!
Congratulations to the Wakulchyk Families
The surrounding community are proud of you and what you contribute to the community
Congratulation How Exciting!!! I knew all 3 of the Boys since they were very young ; knew Bill before he learned to walk. Also knew their spouses Victoria and Helen since they were Very Young. All Hard Working and Well Deserving to be Honored!!!
Thank-you Norma, it has been great knowing you & John as well!
Thank you MaryAnne, we appreciate you & Andy as well as your comment.
Could not be more proud and at the same time more humbled to be raised up on this farm.
One of the most generous families in the area. Very well known and always helping neighbours and friends and family.
This family is a great example of respect and integrity who know the value of family and community and plenty of hard work held this crew together. God bless
Congratulations to the Wakulchyk Families for this Prestigious Award! Thank you for being a big part of our great farming community ❤
Wonderful deserving family.