Tower family from Gleichen wins Stampede Farm Award

Times Contributor 

 

The fifth generation “Tower Ranches” family farm was the recipient of the 2012 BMO Farm Family representing Wheatland County. It is nestled in the heart of East Wheatland in a picturesque scene of canola fields and grazing cattle.

In 1905 Addison Sylvester Tower Jr. came to Canada from Lincoln, Nebraska by cattle train to find himself “homesteading” a few kilometres north and west of Gleichen. His son Richard who passed it on to Terry, whose son Curtis farms alongside him now, succeeded him. Daughter Aerin (Tower) Wheeler and husband Toby are partners in their century old “Wheeler Farm” operation celebrated 1908-2008.

The farming operation has been a father/son succession since its inception in 1906. The present family of 2012 is Terry Tower with his wife Brenda (nee Hayes) along with son and daughter-in-law Curtis and Brandi Tower who share the yard with five out of a total seven grandchildren on the family farm.

The Towers have about 2,500 acres in crops, divided more or less equally among wheat, barley and canola. 

“Basically, we’re totally dry-land farming,” said Terry, who followed the normal practice of summer-fallowing half his land until his son returned from school. 

Terry and Brenda, besides farming in the Gleichen community, are no strangers to hard work and community involvement. They have been active members in the Gleichen and district communities, members of the local 4-H clubs and other youth organizations. They still continue with strong volunteer input in the communities of Gleichen, Cluny and Strathmore. 

Terry is past president of the Agricultural Society, Arena Board and High School Rodeo Association, past secretary of the Gleichen Lions Club and past member of the Masonic Lodge. He was one of the founding members of the Rural Fire Department, and is still a member of the Gleichen (now Strathmore Royal Canadian) Legion. In his spare time he thoroughly enjoyed managing the Gleichen Old Timers Hockey Team for twenty years.

Brenda Tower has been, and still is, just as busy having held many leadership positions in the various community organizations. She was an integral part in the introduction in organizing the E.C.S. into the GHSD/Gleichen, Cluny Elementary School. Past president of the Gleichen and District Figure Skating Club, Parent Advisory Committee, High School Rodeo Director and 4-H leader position in the Gleichen/Cluny sewing club. She was past president of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church and still sits on the Vestry Board of the Church. Brenda was the area coordinator on the Wheatland Further Education Board and remains secretary of the Gleichen and District Fair Committee and is a certified judge with the Alberta Association of Agriculture Society, judging at many neighbouring community fairs and 4-H achievement days.

The Towers are blessed with a wonderful family of daughter Aerin with son-in-law Toby who has two boys Will and Devin. A son Curtis with wife Brandi and their five children Spencer, Alexis, Danica and 4-month-old twins Callie and Brianna.

In July 2007, all immediate family members gathered for a family reunion and the celebration of 100 years in operation of the farm. They were awarded honors from the Provincial and Municipal governments. In honor of the occasion they hosted a BBQ beef supper to celebrate with family and friends.

“Our good fortune and success has been a direct result of hard work and honest parents, and it was the generations before us that have given us this opportunity. Our future goals and plans for the farm are to maintain an active, thriving farm for many generations to follow,” said Towers.

Oldest grandson Spencer stated in a matter of fact, “I am a farmer too.” Much to the delight of everyone that he was proud of his heritage that was instilled in him by example of his Dad and Grandpa.

Terry and son Curtis are perusing modern agricultural practices in their operation and continue to be active and productive in their farming endeavors.