LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – Wayne and Kim Ruether never heard of the
outstanding young farmers program until they were nominated earlier
this spring.
“Are you sure you didn’t make a mistake,” an astonished Wayne asked the
judges after hearing they were selected to represent Alberta-Northwest
Territories.
The next step for this Fairview area couple is a trip to Toronto for
the national competition at the Royal Winter Fair this November.
Wayne is a third generation Peace district farmer. Kim’s parents’
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family homesteaded there after her father emigrated from Denmark.
Their focus is quality of life over a bigger, better, faster operation.
“The family farm is our focus. Our kids are the reason we’re so
involved and working so hard,” said Kim.
Married in 1990, they have four children under the age of 10.
Life is busy. Besides farming nine quarters of land, they run 55
commercial cows. Until last year, they shared equipment with Wayne’s
brother. Now Wayne and Kim share the labour.
“Our focus will be me and him farming together. I get to be the combine
lady and we’re really going to focus on making it work,” said Kim, who
also works part time as an X-ray technician at the Fairview hospital.
Four couples made the final round.
Each provides a history of their operation, financial management,
conservation practices, community involvement and general improvements
made since they started farming.
The other nominees were Stan and Brenda Nicolay of Rocky Mountain
House, Marjin and Ans Vermeer of Gibbons and Mark and Kari Kurvyial of
Cranford.
