Information Services Corporation (ISC) is honouring 635 farm families across Saskatchewan in 2010 with a Century Family Farm Award, including 25 families in the Weyburn area.
The award recognizes families who have owned and operated the same farm for 100 years or more. Awards will be handed out at events held across the province in June.
"The family farm has always been the backbone of Saskatchewan's economy and has helped shape the rural traditions of our province," Minister responsible for ISC June Draude said. "Homesteaders had a strong work ethic and today's farm families have that same strength and character. I congratulate all recipients for reaching the centenary milestone."
This year marks the second-highest number of award recipients since the program began in 1981, following a record year in 2009 of 661 families honoured. In total, 3,990 families have received the award over the program's 30-year period.
Those receiving the award in the area include: Darby Goski and Leo Kopec of Weyburn;
Donald Bailey, Neil Buckler, Alvin and Betty Haugen, Norman Kemp, Gerald Rosvold and Rick Rosvold of Bengough; Roxy Elsada Johnston of Fillmore; Kenneth Hagen and Kenneth and Wanda Johnson of Lake Alma; Daniel Krauss of Lampman; William and Joseph Rennick of Milestone; William Caird and Larry McKerricher of Ogema; Kenneth Kaufmann, Edwin Thomas Herbert Rowland, and Terrence Webb of Pangman; Garth Fradette, Keith Fradette, Cory, Carri, Ron and Wendy Henheffer, and Luella McClinton of Radville; Martha, Sabe and Tracey Holzer of Torquay; Kenneth Hutt of Tribune; and Lillian Marshall of Yellow Grass.
The ISC Century Family Farm Awards are delivered on an annual basis. Recipients must apply for the awards by March 15, and meet the following eligibility criteria: members of the same family have farmed or ranched the land continuously for 100 years or more, and the family lives in Saskatchewan and continues to operate their farm or ranch.
All recipients receive a colour copy of their family's original land grant or title, as well as ISC Century Family Farm Award certificates and a choice of award: an indoor wall plaque or a gate sign. All bear the ISC Century Family Farm Award logo, the family farm name and the year it was established.
