3 minute read
Deep Roots and Enduring Commitment of Minburn County Farm Family Recognized
Deep Roots and Enduring Commitment of Minburn County Farm Family Recognized
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
The Hess family have been farming on the original homestead for 100 years and were formally recognized for their accomplishment by the County of Minburn and the Province of Alberta.
Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk presented the Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award, while County of Minburn Reeve Roger Konieczny presented the County of Minburn Agricultural Service Board’s Award recognizing 100 years of family farming on the original Hess homestead which is located near Mannville.
Reeve Konieczny stated that, “The Hess family's dedication to farming for over 100 years is a testament to the resilience and strength of our agricultural community. Recognizing their achievement with the Century Farm Family award not only honours their legacy but also highlights the deep roots and enduring commitment that families like theirs bring to the County of Minburn.”
According to information provided by the Hess family, “The land was purchased by Barbara and George Hess in 1942. Together, they raised their six children, farmed the land, and had pigs and cattle.
Their oldest child and only son, Alvin, eventually took over the farm. He also raised his children here - Marvin, Dennis, Doug, Lawrence and Arvilla. Upon Alvin's passing, Doug took over the family farm, continuing on with crops, cattle and pigs.
Later, Doug married his wife Karen, and together they raised their four children, Joch, Boone, Clint and Sarah. Over many years, many renovations, upgrades, and expansions, Doug still continues to actively farm at the same location with help from his son Boone.
Boone and his wife, Brandy Hess, reside only a few minutes from the original homestead, which makes helping with the family farm easier. Together Boone & Brandy have three children who all actively help on the family farm, and participate in the local 4-H Club with their beef projects. Their children help with everything including branding, calving, getting the crops off, haying, and feeding the men in the tractors during busy season!
Karen & Doug have 11 grandchildren who all come back to the farm with their parents to celebrate holidays and birthdays and numerous other occasions. The farm reached its centennial in April 2024. To celebrate, Boone and Brandy hosted a huge celebration at the farm with many of their family, friends and neighbors in July of this year.”
Brandy said that, “It was so wonderful to see all the family, neighbors and friends come out to celebrate this huge milestone! We enjoyed each other's company, many laughs, many stories from the past, and a delicious meal together. I feel very blessed to be a part of a family farm that is still going strong, over 100 years.”
