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The Bishop Family - Lethbridge County

Tribute paid to 19 farm and ranch families at Calgary Stampede

Jul 11, 2019 | 6:24 PM

CALGARY — Farmers and ranchers, their livestock and horses, have been the backbone of the Calgary Stampede for more than a hundred years. With that in mind, it’s understandable that the families who represent the true values of farming and ranching should be recognized every year.

BMO Bank of Montreal and the Calgary Stampede have been taking care of the honour.

On Monday (July 8), 19 Alberta families were welcomed to Stampede Park for the 23rd annual BMO Farm Family Awards to celebrate the contributions they have made to the agriculture industry and their community.

John MacAulay, Regional President, Prairies and Northwest Territories Division, BMO Bank of Montreal, met the families to help celebrate their contributions to the rural way of life.

“The BMO Farm Family Awards recognize the contributions made by Alberta farmers, from their deep roots in the community to the stewardship of the lands on which they work, and the values of hard work and commitment that they embody.”

Devin Dreeshen, the Alberta Minister of Agriculture, John MacAulay, Regional President, Prairies and Northwest Territories Division, BMO Bank of Montreal and Dana Peers, Calgary Stampede President and Chairman of the Board were also in attendance to help recognize the winning families.

Every year, each of the municipal districts in southern Alberta nominates one family who displays the qualities of a Farm Family. Selected families are brought to Stampede for the BMO Farm Family Awards, which include an awards ceremony, reception and brunch. Each Farm Family also received a personalized gate sign and an afternoon at the Calgary Stampede Rodeo.

Eight of the 19 families recognized were from the region surrounding Lethbridge:

D & M Bishop Farms Inc. — Bishop Family of Lethbridge County (above)

Philpott Honey Producers — The Philpott Family of Newell County
Mackenzie Red Angus — The Mackenzie Family of Cardston County
Quinton Farms — Ryan & Lisa Chipman and Family from County of Warner
Westrop Farms — Westrop & Family from the MD of Pincher Creek
Linrich Farms Ltd. — Richard & Linda Huvenaars and Family from the MD of Taber
Lowe Ranches — The Lowe Family from the MD of Willow Creek #26
Crocus Coulee Farms Ltd. — Owen & Sherry Malmberg and Family of Vulcan County