Promoting their hometown | Couple says management course helped them set goals for the future
SMOKY LAKE, Alta. — Angela and Robert Semeniuk believe it’s important to promote their area of northeastern Alberta. That’s one reason why they let their names stand in the Outstanding Young Farmers’ program.
The Smoky Lake area has great lakes, camping and golf courses and is close to the Iron Horse trail, an old railway line used for ATV riding, snowmobiling, hiking and horseback riding.
“People need to realize there is so much to offer,” said Angela.
The small town of Smoky Lake, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is even attracting workers from Fort McMurray who want to live in a small town.
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“Our community is starting to thrive,” said Angela, whose parents moved to Smoky Lake when she was in Grade 10.
As Alberta’s Outstanding Young Farmers winners, the couple hopes more people will visit their corner of the province.
Robert always knew he wanted to stay in Smoky Lake and farm. After high school, he bought land and cattle and took over some of the land his parents had been renting. It was also Semeniuk’s first foray into custom work.
Robert and his father bought a sprayer and started spraying as a successful farm diversification and income generator. They tried custom grain hauling, but found it too time consuming. They added a custom seeding business as a way to keep up with the latest seeding systems and technology.
Four years ago, they got into the fertilizer floating business. The first year, they spread fertilizer on 19,000 acres and this year hope to custom spread fertilizer on 35,000 acres.
“I think it’s been very successful,” said Angela.
“It’s allowed us to grow.”
Like other parts of the Prairies, it’s not easy buying land in competitive agriculture areas. Instead, the couple has chosen to rent land and focus on their custom work.
In 2006, they sold the cattle to focus on grain.
“I hated them,” said Robert. “I bought my dad’s cattle so I could sell them. To look after them properly, you have to have more passion than most.”
Robert’s passion is grain. Each year, the family plans for an increase in production.
Recently, they hired an agronomist to scout the fields and make agronomic recommendations, keep track of the weeds and do more in-depth record keeping.
The couple also created a “field of dreams” home quarter. Every expense is documented and at the end of the season, their return on investment is compared to the other fields with the same crop.
As a certified management accountant, Angela is continually looking at the numbers to make sure every decision works financially.
“We do a lot of record keeping and keeping track of numbers. We know what our costs are and if we’re getting a benefit,” said Robert.
“We’re running it like a business. Nothing is just in our heads. We have hard data,” he said.
Part of the couple’s focus comes from their Canadian Total Excellence in Agricultural Management course at the George Morris Centre, in Guelph, Ont., an intensive agricultural education program designed to help farmers seize the changes in modern agriculture.
Through the program, the couple learned a lot about themselves and how they work or don’t work with their partners and staff.
“It helps you deal with other personalities,” said Robert.
It was through that program the couple set farm goals, created vision and mission statements and set strategic and capital plans to keep them focused.
Until three years ago, Angela worked off the farm for the Smoky Lake County as a municipal accountant. The custom floating business allowed Angela to work full-time on the farm.
With two children, Gabrielle, 6, and Tristan, 4, the couple is involved in the local community. For 13 years, Angela has served on the Community Adult Learning Council.
Many of her volunteer hours now focus on the children’s activities.
The couple helped raise money and build a community playground behind the school.
They also help out with the Ukrainian dance club.
“So many organizations need volunteers,” she said.
In November, the couple will travel to the national Outstanding Young Farmers event in Prince Edward Island.
