LAMPMAN - Glenn Gress and his wife Cherilyn live on a farm west of Lampman, off of Highway 361.
They have a beef cattle operation and at present are calving out 250-300 head. Twenty-two horses also call this farm home, along with 11 dogs.
Gress’ son Kallan and his wife Ashley Kerslake-Gress also are residents on the farm. Kerslake-Gress is incredibly involved with the cattle and proceeds to tag all the calves.
Glenn Gress was born and raised near Steelman, but his wife was a city girl, coming to Lampman to teach, and it all started there.
Gress has been involved with the Browning Multiple 4-H Club for 45 years and has been a leader for 25 years. The last 10 years, the 4-H group has gathered on the Gress farm.
This family has had their share of tough times. Gress had a farming accident several years ago. He fell 25 feet to the ground, breaking his C-1 and C-2 vertebrae. Upon impact his head was split open requiring 100 stitches and 50 staples. Gress wore a halo for four months, a hard collar for eight months, and then he moved on to a soft collar for two years.
After three years, everything healed naturally with no pins. At the same time, he also broke his main shoulder bone. He is currently driving a semi-trailer unit in the oilpatch.
Gress’ wife Cherilyn also has had her struggles, although she is still dealing with them. In April 2021, she contracted COVID-19. She stated, “It started with a scratchy throat, then the body pains started and the fatigue.”
It has been a year now and Cherilyn Gress still is dealing with the long haul of COVID.
“My doctor told me, I’m at elevated risk for blood clots,” she said.
Cherilyn Gress continues to have brain fog, a racing heart and runs out of breath easily. After multiple doctor’s appointments she is slowly getting answers. She will be moving to Regina to receive further treatment.
Cherilyn Gress is hoping it will get her on the right track.
“It's very frustrating,” she said.
This has not stopped the couple from being involved in the Browning Multiple 4-H Club.
For 10 years, they have offered their farm for the club to meet. There are only a select few that offer this in Saskatchewan.
Glenn Gress said, “It gives those kids a chance to be on a farm, when otherwise they wouldn’t.”
A meeting was held on April 7. The Gress family uses their own horses for the club, having 15 that are suitable for those that have never been around horses, or are just learning to ride. The oldest horse in the group is around 22 years old and still going strong.
To join the club, one needs to be between the age of six and 21. They have a large group. Last year the membership was at 10, but this year it almost doubled to 16. Everyone seemed eager and excited to be there.
Ashley Kerslake-Gress and Tanya Trask are also valuable coaches to the club.
Gress started with the removal of caps and toques, and the members of the club recited the pledge from 4-H. After this, Gress instructed the group on horse safety. Gress stated, “no running around the horses or yelling at any time.” They went on to show the kids how to properly brush a horse, where the horse’s blind spots are and how to walk around behind the horse.
Gress said, “You always need to respect a horse, as they are a large animal. Although they are gentle, sometimes they can spook at something.”
It was now the kids’ turn to brush and the smiles went from ear to ear.
Averi-Ann Wyatt stated, “I have been coming here for two years and I love the horses.” Wyatt and her family live in Estevan.
Ryden Ellis said, “I love horses and ride Rags and Romo.” The Ellis family comes from Benson.
It is not only horses they use. They also have steers for 4-H, supplied by the Gress Farm. The steers are from last year and kept in a separate pen. These steers require a different feed as well.
Kaylee Boettcher, president of the club, was trying to manage a steer. The steers all need to be halter broke, and this one was not that co-operative, as Boettcher found out. Boettcher herded her steer into the cattle shot as the other way just did not work. Kerslake-Gress taught Boettcher how to teach a steer to move forward.
It is much the same as training a young horse. By the end Boettcher had success. Grooming of these steers is different. The hair, according to Kerslake-Gress, is brushed against the grain, not with it. This gives the steer a fuller look, which is appealing to the judges.
Hutt’s Trucking donated a clubhouse for the group. Although it needs repairs, the club appreciates the generosity of Hutt’s. They are looking for lumber donations to the club to do the upgrades.
During the year, fundraisers continue. All members have jackets with their names on them, for which they did a fundraiser. The Prairie Animal Health Center is hosting a supper with a speaker on vaccinations. The 4-H Club was approached by the PAHC, and asked to do the cooking and serving, and they gladly are taking on the task. They do other fundraisers throughout the year.
The group was full of enthusiasm and the smiles showed their eagerness to learn. If you wish to join this club, feel free to contact the Gress family for all the information.
