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Building a legacy

The Century Farm and Ranch Laurels and 125-Year Farm Recognition

Farming and ranching consist of difficult work and cede, combined with a healthy dose of energy and unrelenting faith. This spirit and vision, complemented past a new state of limitless natural resource is what brought our ancestors to Alberta. They settled the land to build the family farm or ranch – the place many of you continue to call dwelling house today.

Keeping the farm or ranch actively operating from generation to generation is an impressive achievement for any Alberta family unit. Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development recognizes these special families who built the foundation of prairie farming and ranching. The contributions they take made to Alberta's agriculture sector is immeasurable. Their dedication to agronomics, family and rural communities has helped build a vibrant and sustainable agriculture industry in our province.

Seven members of the Burton-Wachtler family sitting on horses

History

In 2020, the Alberta regime recognized the Burton Family of Claresholm, Alberta, for owning and operating Burke Creek Ranch for 130 years.

Read their story, learn the history of the Century Farm and Ranch Award program, and find resources for supporting your farm's history.

Larn more

How recipients are honoured

In addition to provincial recognition, successful applicants volition receive a custom-made, cast bronze plaque to mark this significant milestone.

In 2018, the 125-Twelvemonth Subcontract Recognition component was launched to recognize farms and ranches going dorsum to 1885. Recipients are presented with an honourary certificate, personally signed by the Premier and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economical Development and housed in a formal presentation folder. At that place is no requirement for institution documents. The family must take already been awarded the Century Subcontract and Ranch Award and however own and operate the land at the time of application.

Today, more 1970 farms accept been awarded with the Century Farm and Ranch plaque and over 40 have received both the Century plaque and the 125-Year Subcontract Recognition Certificate.

Photo of the Hrabec Farm's Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award plaque

Figure 1. The plaques are 10 inches by 14 inches in size, and are suitable for mounting outdoors. Successful applicants volition be provided with a plaque design proof for their review and blessing, prior to plaque being ordered. Information technology volition be delivered in 12 to 16 weeks.

Eligibility

Full general

  • a family fellow member is still actively farming the land at the time of awarding
  • the quarter section you are applying for has not been subdivided
  • the quarter section you are applying for has not been cash rented to a non-family member during its 100-year or 125-yr history
  • the quarter section you're applying for has non been rented to a non-family unit member during its 100-year or 125-year history

100 year subcontract recognition

  • your family has continuously owned and actively operated the same land for 100 years or more than

125 year farm recognition

  • Applicants for the 125 Twelvemonth Farm Recognition must have previously been awarded with the Alberta Century Farm and Ranch honour nether this program. A current title document proving farm ownership volition be obtained by programme staff.

For more information on award eligibility, including limited exceptions, come across the Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award guidelines and awarding grade. (PDF, 1.3 MB)

How to apply

To apply for the 100 year and/or 125 year accolade, farm families can follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill up out application grade

Download and complete the grade:

  • Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Honour guidelines and application form (PDF, 1.3 MB)

Supporting documentation:

  • Our staff will obtain and verify homestead and electric current land titles on your behalf, and perform a corporate registry search if the land is owned by a company.
  • Learn most historical documents that back up your application in our Century Farm and Ranch Award history publication.

Stride ii. Send in application

Mail your completed application to: [email protected]

Footstep 3. Subsequently you apply

Staff volition review the application, including obtaining and verifying supporting documentation. They may contact y'all to clarify sure information. Supporting documents include:

  • homestead documents
  • current land title
  • corporate registry (if the land is owned past a visitor)

Past recipients

Get to know the families who have built the foundation of prairie farming and ranching in Alberta. Come across our interactive Alberta Century Subcontract and Ranch Award Dashboard.

Contact

Connect with the program:

Hours: eight:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Fri, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-968-6557
Fax: 780-963-4709
Toll free: 310-0000 before the telephone number (in Alberta)
E-mail:[email protected]

Address:
Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award Program
Alberta Agronomics, Forestry and Rural Economical Development
4809 44 Avenue
Stony Plain, Alberta  T7Z 1N4