Award honours contributions, legacies of farm families

Brian Poncelet has been working on the farm his entire life, like generations of his family before him, and he plans to continue that tradition.

“It’s nice to ... keep it in the family, as much as possible,” Poncelet said. “It’s meant to stay in the family.”

The Poncelets are among the 182 families to be honoured this year with the Century Family Farm Award from Information Services Corporation, which manages land titles and property registries for Saskatchewan. The award is given to families who have “continuously maintained the same farm or ranch operation for 100 years or more,” according to a media release.

ISC spokesman Johnathan Hackshaw called the achievement and commitment of the families “tremendously impressive” and said he’s happy to recognize farmers with the award. “It’s a great opportunity to honour these families and their commitment to Saskatchewan, and the contribution they’ve made to Saskatchewan over the years.”

Sitting with his wife, Sonia, in the Saskatchewan Hall at the Western Development Museum, Poncelet, 70, said their land has been in the family for 102 years, and he’s proud to be part of a long and respected tradition of farming.

“Without the farmers, there wouldn’t be too many people walking around,” Poncelet said.

He and his brothers are the third generation of farmers on their land in Meskanaw near Melfort, and some of his nephews and other relatives are now working the farm full time, he said.

The award includes a “keepsake copy” of a family’s original title or land grant.

Marjorie Anne LaBrash, who attended a Saskatoon ceremony to accept the award on behalf of her late husband, said she’s honoured to be part of a family and industry so ingrained in Saskatchewan’s history.

“I was actively farming with my husband for 40 years. The land was his family’s legacy,” she said. “I admire that they were able to make a living from the environment that they had.”

LaBrash said her children and grandchildren will be the fourth and fifth generations of the family involved in the farm. A strong advocate for women in agriculture, she said she’s proud of her children and their spouses who have made careers for themselves in the business, adding she’s “pleased as punch” to see more women getting into the agricultural sector.

Almost 4,100 farm families in Saskatchewan have been honoured since the award began in 2007.