The 2014 Golden Sheaf award was presented to the Leguee family of the Fillmore area, during the Farmer Appreciation Banquet held on Nov. 4 by the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce at McKenna Hall.
The evening also saw comments from a number of dignitaries, and a speech from radio host and author John Gormley.
This was the 21st presentation of the award since its inception in 1994, in which the Chamber recognizes excellence in agricultural achievement, and helps foster a better rural-urban understanding and consideration.
The award is based on a farmer's contribution to and participation in the agricultural industry and community life; the family was nominated by Garnet Hart and the staff of the Weyburn MNP office.
The family farm includes Russ and Sharon Leguee, and their children and spouses, including daughter Sarah, son Jake and his wife Stephanie, and daughter Amber and her husband Erik Nikolejsin, and Russ's mother Elsie.
"I'm so proud of them," said Elsie in an emotional moment after the award presentation, explaining that she and her late husband Donald first began farming on a half section north of Ogema, before they bought a full section near Fillmore and moved there in 1978 with a grain and cattle mixed operation.
The farm has since grown to an operation that spans 12,400 acres, with a variety of grains, pulses and oilseeds.
"We're honoured and humbled by this award," Russ told the gathered audience, adding the comment, "I didn't know that anybody was watching."
Turning the podium over to son Jake, who he later described as the "business manager" of the family farm, Jake said, "For agriculture as a whole, it's hard to believe how far it's come. I consider myself very lucky to be a part of this business."
"I farm because I love it, because I want to take care of the land," he said.
Asked what he thought when the family was informed they were nominated for this award, Russ said, "When I look around this room, there are so many people who deserve it more than we do; maybe we just feel a little luckier that we were chosen. We're honoured by it, but we just do what we do because we love it."
He said with the new generation of his children taking on aspects of the farm operation, they bring their ideas forward on how things can be done, he enjoys seeing them take on leadership roles in the family operation.
"It's so much about family, as they bring fresh ideas, and new ideas, and how the kids take on leadership roles; they get educated and have all these new-approach ideas," he said, noting several years back they were the first farm in the area to get an air seeder.
"We've moved on to drills and different things; I learned we needed to open our minds and let new ideas come in," he added.
Russ went on to note the farm is a total team effort, and each person brings their own talents and abilities forward which helps fill the roles that are available. They share views around the kitchen table at family meetings and on pizza night, which is every Friday night by family tradition.
He said while they all work together every day, they also enjoy spending off-time together, such as going to the beach on a hot summer day or to the lake.
"This harvest, everybody knows what Mother Nature did to us," he said, noting everyone has a role to play at that time, but they still try to take time for family occasions. For example, on Thanksgiving Day, while they were out in the fields, Sharon and Stephanie brought the turkey dinner and trimmings out to the field, and they stopped to take the time to eat and to laugh, and to enjoy each other.
"We're a family that farms together," said Jake, pointing out, "It's still a business overall, but we can enjoy it when we come together every day and work together."
Russ noted that his daughter Amber and her husband Erik Nikolejsin come on their days off and will often pitch in around the farm, such as during seeding or harvest time, and they do it because they want to.
"We spend a great deal of time together; we love and respect each other's ideas," said Russ, pointing out while Jake is the businessman of the operation, everyone brings something different to the operation.
"My parents made it easy for me and for Sharon, and my dad was willing to step back when he saw the farm was moving in a new direction," said Russ, adding the point, "I was born in Weyburn, and I've lived in the same house my entire life."
Jake has been sharing his thoughts and comments on farming on the website southsaskfarmer.com, with a daily blog under the title, "A Year in the Life of a Farmer", including photos from the day-to-day operations of the farm.
In his posting for Nov. 6, Jake wrote about what they would do after harvest is done.
"The end of harvest may bring a huge sigh of relief, but it doesn't mean that the work is over. When harvest is completed at the end of October, there isn't the same excitement that comes with finishing a few weeks earlier. Why? Well, because there is the sudden realization that winter is only a very short time away," he wrote, adding later there is also the realization that work is far from being over.
"I guess if you really look at it, we are already preparing for the 2015 seeding season. While it is many months away, it is already a pressing consideration in all of our minds as we transition to winter. The next crop year will come all too quickly - but a little, tiny part of me is already looking forward to it," Jake wrote.
There were five categories for the Golden Sheaf Award nominee, with the winner being the producer who scored best overall. These categories included longevity, community involvement (the amount of volunteer work an individual does with the goal of improving the community), professional involvement, innovation and entrepreneurship (such as new products, processes, or the ability to expand operations through entrepreneurship), and stewardship (commitment to the wise management and use of resources).
Earlier in the evening, MLA and Health minister Dustin Duncan noted that agricultural exports are worth $11.7 billion to Saskatchewan, and expects by the year 2020 that number could reach $15 billion. "Agriculture is such a big part of that," he said.
Mayor Debra Button added her comments, noting of speaker John Gormley, "he's a good advocate of Saskatchewan, so it's a privilege to have him here."
On farming in general, the mayor said, "Success this year might mean that you got the harvest completed. I don't envy you with the uncertainty that comes with farming. I do appreciate all that you do."
She added that the District Planning Commission is an example where the city is able to work cooperatively with the RM of Weyburn and address rural needs.
"We have experienced strong growth, and it's through your hard work that the community plan is very much appreciated," she said. "We are continuing to improve our quality of life together. Each of you should receive a badge of honour."
Reeve Carmen Sterling of the RM of Weyburn spoke to the Chamber business members from the agricultural community's point of view.
"I know this year we've seen a lot of examples where each of you as business people were so considerate to us as farmers. We wouldn't be here without you as a business community," she said.
She quoted her husband Darren in regard to farming, saying, "If it was easy, everybody would be doing it."
In regard to the emcee for the evening, Jeff Richards, who has recently left his position as manager of the Chamber to go work at the Southeast Regional College, Reeve Sterling said, "I think we're losing a valuable asset in business with his position with the chamber."
Emcee Jeff Richards read out a message from MP Ed Komarnicki, who was in Ottawa for the sitting of Parliament.
"It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to farm today; agriculture is a significant part of Saskatchewan's identity. It's been a source of pride for all Canadians, and I commend everyone for their efforts" in keeping the ag industry moving forward, said the MP in his message.
President Rodney Gill of the Chamber added his comments, noting the annual banquet and Golden Sheaf "is a way of acknowledging our partners in agriculture.
Beyond amazing advances in technology, we're seeing a major shift in the way business is done on the farm."
He added that farmers are also marketers, brokers, operators of complicated machinery, and sales people.
As a farmer himself, Gill said, "As a producer, it's a love of the land that motivates most of us."
Chad Johnstone of the Weyburn Agricultural Society brought his greetings to the Chamber event, and began by thanking all the farmers and ranchers who help them out for their events.
"With so much going on, it's nice to have an event like this to keep agriculture in the spotlight," he said.
For the Ag Society, he said they've had a very busy and successful year, with an increase in rentals of the Curling Rink and more use of the rodeo arena, such as a new series of children's rodeos, in addition to the annual professional rodeo.
He noted there will be a couple of new events coming up in 2015, including a truck and tractor pull in September, and in October a "Flavour of Fall" food and drink festival.
Among the projects they've completed this year was replacement of fencing around the perimeter of the Ag Society grounds, and installation of bleachers in the cattle barn for audiences to take in cattle shows.
"To keep the Ag Society going strong, we need to continue to improve and upgrade our facilities," said Johnstone, noting they want to make upgrades to the race track as one example.
"It takes a lot of volunteer work to do all of this," he said. "We've been able to get a few new faces out this year, but we could always use new volunteers to help us out."
