Century award honours legacies, contributions of farming families
Brian Poncelet has been working on the farm for 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 just one of 182 families to be honoured this year with the Century Family Farm Award from Information Services Corp., which manages land titles and property registries.
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 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,” Hackshaw said.
Sitting with his wife, Sonia, at the Western Development Museum, Poncelet, 70, said their land has been in the family for 102 years now 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.
The award includes a “keepsake copy” of a family’s original title or land grant.
Marjorie Anne LaBrash, who accepted the award on behalf of her late husband, said she’s honoured to be part of a family and industry so deeply 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.”