For five generations, the Milner family has been farming near Crossfield – and the family’s commitment to both agriculture and the community was recognized July 8 when the Milners were named the 2019 BMO Farm Family for Rocky View County.
“We’re very proud to have won it and it’s very humbling,” Patti Milner, matriarch of the family, said.
The award celebrates families who take an “innovative approach to growing their business, demonstrate a commitment to traditional values and maintain an exceptional standard of sustainability,” BMO said in a statement. The Milners were one of 19 farm families in Alberta to receive this year’s recognition.
Their farm, Lazy M Ranches, is home to a 125-head Angus cattle operation and 2,000 acres of grain farming, according to BMO.
The farm has been a source of pride for Milner and her husband Doug, she said, and has become a full family operation – both of their daughters, Tricia Fehr and Erin McAdam, are active participants on the ranch.
“Actually, they are both involved in agriculture,” she said, noting her daughters have each pursued careers related to the industry on top of helping out on the farm.
And it’s not just the Milners and their kids who have invested in the ranch – according to Milner, the farm also receives help from Doug’s brother, Dave; Patti’s cousins, Kim and Gladys Butler; and family friend Eric McDonald. Milner said even her grandchildren contribute by helping to check on calving cows, riding along in the combines and feeding the animals.
“There are so many wonderful farms that are run by families in our community, and it’s very humbling,” Milner said. “We couldn’t do it without our extended family.”
In addition to the recognition, the family received a personalized gate sign and an afternoon at the Calgary Stampede Rodeo, she added.
“It was a beautiful gate sign that says ‘BMO Farm Family and Calgary Stampede’ on it,” Milner said. “Doug received a beautiful Montana silver belt buckle with the Alberta brand on it.”
She said the family also enjoyed the opportunity to visit the Stampede and take in a free afternoon at the rodeo.
“We had a lovely champagne brunch, and they treated us and all of our children and grandchildren to an afternoon at the Grandstand,” Milner said. “The kids were just mesmerized. They had a great time.”
She said while her grandchildren are young, they have already showed an interest in farm life, and is hoping at least one of them will continue working on the farm and take the helm of the family legacy.
“We are fortunate enough to have four grandchildren.... It looks like there might be one that is really interested in the farm,” she said. “We’ll see what happens.”
