Seventeen southern Alberta farm families were honoured Monday as the BMO FARM FAMILY AWARDS were handed out at the Calgary Stampede.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the awards were created to promote a renewed urban-rural relationship and focus on recognizing the contribution to the enhancement of quality of life as a family unit.

“Alberta farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our thriving agriculture sector and rural communities,” says Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Minister Oneil Carlier. “These awards recognize their unwavering commitment to community and agriculture in our province.”

Each year, the Municipal Districts in southern Alberta nominate one family. Selected families, who best display the qualities of a Farm Family, are brought to the Stampede for the BMO Farm Family Awards, which includes a reception, greetings from Alberta's Minister of Agriculture, brunch, awards presentation, and family photograph session. The winning families are then treated to the afternoon Stampede Rodeo.

“For two decades, the BMO Farm Family Awards have recognized the important work done by families in the agriculture world,” says Gray. “They’re an important part of the Stampede and showcase the importance of sustainable agriculture and help bridge the gap between urban and rural communities.

Among the locals honoured were Flores and Margaret Groeneveld of the Foothills MD.

"It's very nice," Flores Groeneveld said of receiving the award.  "You know we've got such a supportive family, this whole group that works together so well, they make life really easy for myself, i'll tell you."

Flores and Margaret Groeneveld and family

Clark and Ethel Schlosser from the MD of Ranchlands 66 received an award as did Doug and Olive Darch from the MD of Willow Creek and Ron and Louise Markert from the County of Vulcan.

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