Hilton recognized for farming innovation

Times Reporter   

  

A lifetime of farming, and making an impact on the agriculture industry was recognized in the form of Gordon Hilton on Oct. 3 when he was inducted to the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame. Touted as a true pioneer of the conservation tillage Hilton brought one of the first no-till drills to Western Canada in 1980.  

“It is very satisfying to have results of my vision for the future of agriculture in western Canada recognized,” said Hilton about the honour. 

“It means that I was able to start the movement to preserve the soil that we had inherited and turn it over to the next generation in better condition than when we took it over. Some of the land I started farming had blown quite badly during the 1930’s and even in 1964 land was still blowing. I was determined to stop this as it was so detrimental.” 

No-till farming is a way of growing crops, or pasture, each year without disturbing, or destroying the soil. Soil erosion is a common problem that farmers had to deal with, and by going the no-till route it can essentially eliminate that problem. 

In the ‘80s, and beyond, Hilton worked hard over to educate other farmers and encourage them to also adopt conservation methods. 

“It is very satisfying to have results of my vision for the future of agriculture in western Canada recognized,” said Hilton.

“At 82 years of age it is gratifying to know I have made a positive difference to agriculture in my lifetime.”

This is not the first time Hilton has been inducted into a Hall of Fame for his dedication to farming and soil conservation. In 1990 he was the first farmer ever inducted into the Soil Conservation Council of Canada’s Hall of Fame. 

“It is rewarding to be recognized at the provincial level, where I was able to invite to the induction, and thank, some of the people who helped me with information and decisions I made through the years,” said Hilton.

“We are the third generation of our family to farm in Alberta, our sons and their wives are the fourth generation and now our grandson and his wife are the fifth. We are encouraged by the successful transition of our multi generation farm operation, of which we are still active.”

Hilton is the first farmer to be accepted into the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame from Wheatland County. Russel Muenchrath, manager of agricultural services for Wheatland County had brought Hiltons name forward to the Ag. Services Board for nomination to the Hall of Fame. 

“The reason he was nominated was because Gordon (and his family) were leaders in regards to soil conservation and to the education of other farmers and policy makers on the importance of soil conservation to the agriculture industry,” said Muenchrath.

“In my opinion his efforts were instrumental in the acceptance of direct seeding and continuous cropping practices which are now common place in Western Canada.”

Alberta Agriculture inducts up to three people every two years during the Hall of Fame ceremony. Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza and Curtis Clark, who was posthumously recognized, are also 2014 inductees.