CALGARY — It’s been over a century since Harnam Singh Hari left the Punjab region and discovered a spread of prime farm land in Calgary.
The harsh winters and isolation proved challenging, but Singh Hari persevered.
Those first few acres have now grown into the massive Haralta Ranches Ltd., just northwest of High River.
Five generations later, the Hari family is poised to carry on the tradition.
“Farming has changed so much. You have to keep up,” said Singh Hari’s grandson Harnet, now 82.
Harnet, the first Sikh born in Alberta, brought his bride Gik from India after an arranged marriage. Neighbours taught the 21-year-old how to cook Alberta beef and potatoes.
The Hari family is one of 18 southern Alberta farming and ranching families honoured Monday at the BMO Farm Family Awards.
Each year, families are selected by the Alberta Agricultural Service Board based on innovative work in the agriculture industry and commitment to traditional western values.
So where will the Hari family’s fifth generation take them?
“We want our children to have an education,” said Sarah Hari, mother of Savannah, 18, and twins Arjun and Ethan, 15.
Her husband Jesse says although his great-grandfather Singh Hari endured great challenges homesteading in the Foothills, his children could face difficulties of their own.
“There’s a tremendous amount of urban pressure,” said Jesse.
This year’s other Farm Family winners included: Jay and Lenora Davis of Acme; Clayton and Senta Gast of Magrath,; Ken and Kim Kultgen of Foremost; Eugene Wauters of Lethbridge; Bruce and Jodi Niznik of Brooks; Keith and Lynne Palmer of Raymond; Hilton and Alta Pharis of Lundbreck; John and Donna Keeley of Nanton; Stan and Arlene Lamb of Claresholm; Larry and Grace Mullen of Didsbury; Harley Walsh of Madden; Tom Osadczuk of Jenner; Bruce and Karen Peacock of Cereal; Kenneth and Vivian Webb and Winston and Darlene Webb of Veteran; John and Nadine Duncalf of Rosedale; Mark Lindstedt of Lomond; and Dwayne and Mary Marshman of Rockyford.
At Monday’s award ceremony at the BMO Centre, Agriculture Minister Jack Hayden praised the families for their outstanding contributions to the agricultural sector: “You are what Alberta is all about. You’re good agricultural people, but the other part is you’re good community people.”
Families were chosen by the Alberta Agricultural Service Board based on their contributions to the farming community. The awards highlight innovations in business and environmental practices of Alberta farmers and ranchers.
“These families are outstanding examples of how far farm management has come and the tremendous contributions they make to the Alberta economy,” said BMO vice-president Bill Hogg.
szickefoose@calgaryherald.com
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