Award recognizes farms that stand test of time

Don and Brenda Herndier’s family farm was established in 1911, when Don’s grandfather moved to the area between Lemberg and Wolseley, about 120 kilometres east of Regina.

“They moved into a granary and lived in that for a couple years, then they built a small house and lived in that for a few years, and in 1919 the big house went up,” said Brenda.

“It’s a three-storey house, which Don and I still live in today, with a few additions to it.”

For all 42 years of their married life, Don and Brenda have lived on the farm where they raised two sons who now help them with farmwork.

“We all work together,” she said. “They’re fourth generation, so to be able to say that this is the fourth generation that (is) on the farm, that is an accomplishment.”

This accomplishment was honoured on Tuesday afternoon at the Information Services Corporation’s (ISC) 11th annual presentation of the Century Family Farm Awards, celebrating family farms that have withstood the test of time for more than 100 years.

For the Herndiers, the last century has brought a lot of ups and downs.

“Lots of good memories, lots of not so good memories,” she said.

“It’s all weighed out, so it’s been a good life.”

The farm now run by Kurt Thierman — located 35 kilometres southwest of Swift Current, near Webb — was established in 1918.

“My (great) grandfather came here and bought this land. I think he (came) here and homesteaded here in 1912, and bought this land in ’18, and then my grandfather got it from him, and my dad got it from him, and I got it, and I have a son that’s going to come home I think, and he’ll probably get it too,” he said.

“There’s been a lot of hardships in 100 years, but a lot of good things too.

“It’s worked out well.” Thierman said the farm has had plentiful years and horrible years, ranging from practically no crop yield in 1988, to 75 bushels an acre another year.

Despite the unpredictability, Thierman said being his own boss and working together with family makes it all worthwhile.

Brenda Herndier agrees, and she’s glad to see that, even after all these years, the farm is where family members return.

“Every year we have a gathering at the farm where all Don’s family comes,” she said.

“Everybody comes home to the farm, so it’s something special.”

As small family farms give way to larger commercial farms, Brenda maintains that the smaller family farm still has value.

“I don’t think bigger is always better,” she said.

“As long as you can be a viable commodity, you know, and make a living on a farm, you don’t have to be rich and have this big retirement fund.”

Every year we have a gathering at the farm ... Everybody comes home to the farm, so it’s something special.