Pictured (from left to right): Seated- Barb and Eric Hodges. Standing – Sons Darrell Hodges, Keith Hodges and son-in-law and area Councillor Bob Marshall. (Photo Credit: County of Grande Prairie)

By Shane Clausing

100 years of farming

Beaverlodge-Albright area family honoured for over 100 years of farming

Jun 30, 2020 | 12:00 PM

Eric and Barb Hodges and their family have been awarded the Pioneer Farming Family Award by the County of Grande Prairie for 100-plus years of farming in the County.

Recipients of the award must have farmed or ranched in the County for 100 years on land that they’ve either owned or rented.

In a statement to the County of Grande Prairie, Eric Hodges says his family is proud of the recognition and is happy to continue his legacy.

“This award is a tribute to my Dad. It certainly wasn’t easy to homestead this land 100 years ago. I don’t know how they did it. Legacy farming became a way of life in the area, I’ve known the neighbour since we all went to the rural school in Beaverlodge, the only one in the district at the time.”

The Hodges family has been farming in the County since 1915 and owns 2,000 acres of land, their daily operation includes grain and cattle.

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Eric Hodges’ father, Venn, settled on the land back in 1915 when he arrived from England. The original property Venn settled on was later sold and they continued to live and farm in the area not far from where the old farm stood.

Venn also helped establish the 4-H Club in Beaverlodge back in 1950, which was the first club of its kind within the County.

The County says that the family’s tradition is now deeply rooted and it looks to keep going strong. Eric’s sons Darrell and Keith and grandson, Keiran, are carrying on the operations.

“The work of farming and connecting with the land [is] very rewarding,” said Hodges. “It’s a good life and I enjoy every minute of it. It’s pretty special to see our two sons now farming the land that’s been in our family all this time.”

Those who might know somebody who has been farming in the County for over a century and would like to nominate them for the award can do so by heading to the County’s website.