Pallesen’s Dalbey Farm recognized at Stampede

Times Reporter

 

This year marks the 17th season that BMO and the Calgary Stampede have combined to award the BMO Farm Family of the Year, an honour reserved for a farm that has made a difference in their community, upholds western heritage, and respects family values. Sixteen areas were recognized, including the Dalbey Farm, run by the Pallesens, for Wheatland County.

Barry Pallesen and his wife Pauline run the farm now with their daughters Jenny and Kirsten, but the operation began in the early 1930’s with Barry’s grandparents, who were Danish immigrants. In 1951, Barry’s father Olav came to Canada after the war, met his wife Rita, and the agricultural tradition continued. Though the farm started in Beynon, it expanded to the Dalum area in the mid 1960’s (which is how the farm earned its name “Dalbey”). 

“You don’t get anywhere on the farm without hard work, and back in those days it was much more manual labour than what we are doing now,” Barry said.

Dad, 83, and mom, 78 still assist on the farm too.

“He’s more in the support capacity than in the equipment operation, but helps to move the cattle, and spent every day on the combine in 2012,” said Barry. “Mom has kind of stepped away from doing more on farm work but she certainly looks after their big yard and garden still, as does my father.”

Nowadays, Rita spends a lot of time volunteering at the hospital in Drumheller and playing the organ at church. Olav has been on the church council, and community hall board – as have Barry and his wife.

“Our daughters have been raised to volunteer both in the community and at school,” said Barry, whose children help out at the Salvation Army and the Boys & Girls Club. “They have continued in what we feel is important. If you didn’t do it, you would feel out of place in this family.”

The farm has 4,000 acres cultivated of wheat and canola, and 1,500 acres of pasture supporting their 140 cow calves pairs, which are bred from Black Angus or Charolais bulls. They birth the calves, and sell them in the fall to feed lots. It’s a hefty operation, one that they hope to keep in the family for a fourth generation with Barry’s daughter Kirsten; she’s currently at Olds College studying animal health technology.

“It looks as if she’s going to continue with it, and that’s wonderful. When you see your child wants to continue with things, it makes what you’re doing seem more rewarding,” Barry said.

Each generation has proudly taken the lead of the business for the family farm.

“Just because, right now, I’m the decision maker doesn’t put me at the head of anything. It’s just my turn. The transition among all the generations has been good, and everyone gets along,” Barry said. “We all have the same goal: it’s not about making money, it’s about doing a good job and being satisfied with what you’ve done.”

As agriculture continues to grow, farm families like the Pallesens will play an important role in driving agriculture industry in the west.

“The challenge of raising these cattle and doing this fieldwork is absolutely huge, but, man, is it rewarding at the end of the year when it’s all come together,” said Barry. “There’s not better business than agriculture right now.”

On July 8, the Pallesens were presented with a personalized farm gate sign, and tickets to the Stampede rodeo, for their hard work and contributions on and off of the farm.

“Family and agriculture lie at the heart of Stampede’s values,” said Bob Thompson, president and chairman of the Alberta Agricultural Service Board in a press release. “As Alberta becomes increasingly urban, we strive to find ways to draw connections back to our rural surroundings and roots. The families being recognized today embody that connection.” 

“There are many in both the county and our small farming area of Dalum, that would be very much deserving of this, but it’s a real honour to be nominated and thought of,” said Barry Pallesen. “It was a very proud day.”