The Farm Family of the Year dinner and awards event is bigger than ever this year in recognition of its 50th anniversary.
Alf Tide, now entering his 10th year as the co-ordinator of the annual show and shine of the agriculture and ranching community, said the 50th anniversary dinner will be held at Affinity Place on March 12 this year, allowing it to temporarily expand to accommodate 500 or more people.
The dinner will feature the musical stylings of Brad Johner and the Johner Boys and a motivational address by Chris Koch, an Alberta-based farmer who works the fields even though he has no arms or legs. Koch was featured in a Mercury article last year while he was temporarily employed on a nearby southeast Saskatchewan farm. Koch, who has appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show and has been featured in other articles and broadcasts, brings the message that “If I can …” to his audiences.
Brad Johner, a native of the Estevan-Macoun-Midale area, is an award-winning country and western performer with five CDs and several Canadian Country Music awards behind his stylings. He was part of the Johner Brothers duo at the start of his career, being joined by brother Ken for several years before he launched his solo career. Now he’ll be on stage with his four sons who not only serve as a backup band, but also can form a musical group of their own, which they have done several times when they haven’t been working with their father.
Tide said the highlight of the night continues to be the presentation of the Farm Family of the Year Award, a regular feature of the dinner since 1985.
The event is sponsored by the Estevan Chamber of Commerce and Estevan Exhibition Association.
All three regional 4-H clubs will send one public speaker to the podium to address the audience as well.
“Nominations are open for Farm Family, and the nomination forms are available at the Chamber office in Estevan. Tickets for the event are also available there as well as at any of the three farm implement dealerships in the city, Nelson Motors and Equipment, Red Head Equipment and E. Bourassa and Sons,” said Tide.
Nominations will close on Feb. 20 and any grain, livestock or mixed farming operation within the 10 surrounding rural municipalities (about a 60 mile radius) are eligible.
“Farming expertise, community leadership and volunteerism are traits the judges usually look for,” said Tide, in commenting on the past nominations and winners.
Last year’s Farm Family of the Year was the Ashworth Farm and Ranch, Kelly and Janice Ashworth, of Oungre.
