Saskatchewan producers spent time finding a young couple to take over their operation when they were ready to retire
Brian Weedon did not want to sell his ranch and retire, but he now has more time to fish and rekindle old friendships. “My heart didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to leave the ranch and get out of the business, but my head said you better think about this economically,” said Weedon, who […] Read moreTag Archives after the farm — page 3
Retirement from farming leads to oil patch career
Lloyd Thompson kept busy for a few years building a new house, but then boredom set in, prompting him to find another job
Lloyd Thompson sold the ranch in 2011, but didn’t retire. Instead, the southern Saskatchewan rancher spent a couple years building a house along the Souris River and then decided he needed something more. “I woke up one day and decided I needed to do something. When you have been busy and active all your life […] Read more
Couple tried cottage life at the lake — and stayed put
The Walls at first found enjoyment renovating their lake-side ‘cabin’ and have since found a variety of ways to keep themselves busy and happy
Fred and Linda Wall found their piece of paradise in southern Saskatchewan. What they thought would be a relaxing cabin by water has turned into their home where they canoe, skate, fish, swim, hike, garden hunt and putter without leaving sight of their renovated home. On this morning, Fred went for a hike on the […] Read more
Farm estate planning needs a team
Lawyers, accountants, financial advisers, insurance specialists, estate planners and mediators can all help create a plan
It takes a community to raise a child and it takes a team to build an estate plan. Lawyers, accountants, financial advisers, insurance specialists, estate planners and mediators may all come into the mix to create a farm estate plan. Throw in farming children and non-farming children and mix in a divorce and post-farming income […] Read more
Sale of B.C. farm took six years to complete
Relationship building was key as the older and younger generations took gradual steps toward passing on the farm
When Dan Sexton started work at a fruit and vegetable farm in southern British Columbia, he hoped he would like farming. Six years later, on March 31, Dan Sexton and his wife, Kat, purchased Pilgrims’ Produce, an organic farm outside Armstrong and know they love to farm. It took those six years of learning, discovery, […] Read more
Management firms keep farms in the family
Families who have inherited land but don’t know anything about farming find it safer to put the professionals in charge
CAMROSE, Alta. — Brenda Sharp knows she knows nothing about farming. But the Texas resident knows she wants to keep the land she inherited in Saskatchewan, Nebraska and Kansas, as a way of staying connected to her family. For about 50 years, Sharp and her family have used farm management companies to manage the farms […] Read more
Snowbird finds a way to head south
Many retired Canadians are staying at home this year, but some have figured out how to make the trip work for them
CAMROSE, Alta. — Despite COVID-19 and a closed border, Gord Johnsen still flew to Arizona for the winter without the rest of the Canadian snowbirds. The warm weather was a draw, but close friends in the community of Gilbert, Arizona, is the real draw. “I have great friends,” said Johnsen, who has travelled to the […] Read more
When retired farmers leave the farm
A couple rented a house in a nearby community while looking for an acreage but discovered that they like living in town
CAMROSE, Alta. — It has been four months since Don and Marie Ruzicka moved off their Killam, Alta., farm to retire in nearby Camrose and there have been no regrets. What eased the transition was finding the right buyer for their organic farm and being mentally ready to make the transition from farming to retired. […] Read more
Women also retire when couples quit the farm
Some women find more time for canasta, sewing and painting, while others tackle new projects such as canning potatoes
CAMROSE, Alta. — It’s been more than a year since Virginia Liebl moved from the farm into Camrose and the transition has been smooth. “For me, I haven’t had trouble finding new things to do,” said Liebl. On the farm, Liebl spent hours in her large flower and vegetable garden, as well as doing daily […] Read more
Retired producers find more time for physical activity
CAMROSE, Alta. — Lorne Enright doesn’t know if his son believes him, but sometimes he cancels a pickleball game to help out on the farm. If his body would allow, Enright said he would play pickleball every day. Instead, the retired farmer plays pickleball three times a week, golfs in the summer and walks on […] Read more
