Willowbrook-area mixed farmer Bill Prybylski was recognized last week as the recipient of the 2014 Bayer Crop Science Farmer Recognition Award at the 26th Annual Grain Millers' Harvest Showdown.
"This is a great honour for me and my family," said Prybylski in accepting the award.
Prybylski said he looks at the list of past award recipients and sees many people he said he has "a great deal of respect for," so to be including among those was humbling.
After the formal presentation Prybylski told Yorkton This Week the award "was a huge surprise, definitely unexpected." He said he believes there are "a lot of guys more deserving," so he was honoured to be chosen.
Prybylski "is a partner in Creek Ridge Farms Ltd., a family run farm corporation in which both his brother, Richard and nephews, Josh and Mark, are also partners. The farm is located near Willowbrook, Saskatchewan," explained Clark Anderson in announcing the award.
Creek Ridge Farms is a mixed farming operation raising both cattle and grains.
"A variety of crops are direct seeded each spring and using Variable Rate Technology, liquid fertilizer is applied," said Anderson.
"The cattle side of their farm involves a commercial cow herd; silage and hay production."
Prybylski said he began farming with his father in 1982.
"When I started farming we farmed five quarters of land," he said, adding "we have 75 quarters now."
The major crops on the farm are canola and wheat, but they also grow flax, oats and peas when they fit rotations and process prospects.
In addition they run a 250 cow/calf operation.
Prybylski said they have stayed a mixed farm for solid economic reasons.
"We have enough marginal land that can't be used for grain production," he said, so cattle are a good fit.
Anderson said Prybylski has also been active in on-farm research.
"Some on-farm trials have included growing novel crops such as corn and pasture wheat," said Anderson. "The farm has hosted a variety of on-farm demonstrations including bale shredding and cattle handling facilities.
Prybylski has always been a contributor to the community and a great promoter of agriculture.
"In terms of his service to the agriculture industry, Bill was a Sask Wheat Pool delegate; he served the District 12 ADD Board; he was a Director of the East Central Research Foundation; he was an APAS delegate; and he is a member of the Beaverdale Beef Producers Club," said Anderson.
So how has farming changed since Prybylski started more than three decades ago?
Maybe it hasn't.
"Farming is still the same," offered Prybylski. "We put the seed in the ground in the spring and we harvest it in the fall," he said.
And would Prybylski want his children to follow in his footsteps? He said his oldest is now 21, the youngest 16. "All have expressed interest in farming."
But Prybylski said he has told each to go try something else to start, making sure they really want to farm.
Still long term he holds hope for his chosen profession.
"The world still has to eat," he said.
In addition Prybylski "has actively served his community and the agriculture industry. He is a member of the Board of the Beaverdale Ukrainian Catholic Church; he is active in the Knights of Columbus; he was an active parent in the Willowbrook Veselka Ukrainian Dance Club in which all four children danced; he is a member of the Board of the Willowbrook Community Centre; he served as a Councillor for the RM of Garry; and he is the current Manager of the Melville Fox FM Prairie Fire Girls Hockey Team," detailed Anderson.
