Local farm family honoured

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

The Sammons family, who have farmed in the Gleichen area for more than a century, have been named one of this year’s BMO Farm Family Award winners. For the family, the recognition reflects both their deep agricultural roots and their ongoing contributions to the community.

Together the Calgary Stampede and BMO Bank of Montreal award families across southern Alberta with this prestigious honour. The award is given to outstanding farm families in recognition of their farming practices and community connections – with emphasis on the value of the family farm to our modern society, created to promote urban-rural relationships. 

“We have been farming in Gleichen since 1909,” said Dave Sammons. “We have always been a mixed farm raising crops and beef cattle. In the past we have raised hogs and even had a few dairy cows. We have always had horses and try to utilize them to work cattle whenever possible.”

Sammons admitted that the award came as a surprise. 

“I was very surprised when I received the phone call that we won the award. It took a while to sink in,” he said. “Being given the Farm Family Award is an honour. It is more so since we are being recognized by our peers.

“I feel this award is partially recognition of our farming and grazing practices as well as our contribution to the community over many years.”

Reflecting on the evolution of farming, Sammons noted the stark differences between his ancestors’ time and today. 

“In the early 1900’s farming involved much more manual labour, but my ancestors were able to benefit from the nutrient-rich freshly broken prairie soils. Today we are more reliant on capital investment in equipment and crop inputs.”

Like many farm families, the Sammons have faced challenges along the way. “Low commodity prices and periods of drought have always been a challenge for farmers and ranchers,” said Sammons. “We have tried to mitigate these risks by having a mixed farm, adapting to better farming practices and improving our pasture with adaptive grazing practices. Also off-farm income helps to stabilize the income.”

Beyond their farm, the Sammons have a long history of community involvement. 

“We have been involved in most community associations over the years (such as the) Gleichen Lions Club, minor hockey, figure skating club, Ag Society and Gunners Bronc Riding. We have also been involved in the local 4-H steer and heifer clubs. I am currently serving on the board of the Foothills Forage and Grazing Association based out of High River,” said Sammons.

He emphasized the importance of families like his to rural life. 

“Farm families are the core to rural communities. We are vested in keeping them vibrant and stable,” said Sammons. “However, there are fewer farm families left, so we are reliant on newer neighbours and town residents to put on events and keep clubs active.”

Looking ahead Sammons hopes his family’s story will stand as an example. “I hope our farming legacy is one of hard work, progressive management and integrity in how we conduct our business.” he said.

He also sees an exciting future for agriculture, particularly in sustainable practices. 

“We are learning how to graze our pasture in a way that improves our grass and allows us to improve our soils and grass stands,” said Sammons. “Ultimately, this allows us to run more cattle on the same amount of land. In the process we are also sequestering carbon out of the atmosphere and putting it into the soil. Cows may be saving the environment, not destroying it.”

The Sammons are currently involved in the Living Labs Project, which measures the carbon levels in soil. Their grazing systems also recycle nutrients naturally. 

“The synergy of having cows and cattle have allowed us to graze our cows all winter on corn,” said Sammons. “In the process all of the manure and urine that is deposited back in those fields has allowed us to grow crops with minimal use of chemical fertilizers. This is better for the environment and our bank account.”

For new farmers Sammons offers simple but important advice: “Try new things and never stop learning.”