Top Left - MD of Greenview Tollefson Family, Top Right - Northern Sunrise County Lavoie Family, Bottom Left - MD of Peace Franz Family, Bottom Right - Saddle Hills County Dolen Family

By Erika Rolling

Agriculture

Four Peace region farm families recognized at Farmfair International

Nov 20, 2023 | 12:34 PM

On November 10, the awards ceremony for the 2023 BMO Farm Family Awards for farm families from northern and central Alberta took place at Farmfair International in Edmonton.

Out of 12 recipients, four farm families in the Peace region were recognized for their contributions to their communities and for reflecting the values of the farm family.

Agricultural services boards nominate farm families for the award. Recipients also got a commemorative gate sign.

Tollefson Family – MD of Greenview

With 2,800 acres and 160 cow/calf pairs, the Tollefson family has been farming for over 70 years.

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The family started back in 1951 with Elna Tollefson homesteading in the Sweathouse area with her sons Wally, Ken, Cliff and Leroy. Wally and Leroy continued operations along with Wally’s son Ed.

The farm today is now in the hands of Ed and his wife Lorna, their daughter Shayna, daughter Tamara and son-in-law Dylan, and son Dylan and daughter-in-law Cheyanne.

Dolen Family – Saddle Hills County

Starting with just 180 acres on the homestead, Cody and Candance Dolen’s family is being recognized for their efforts in farming and in their community after nearly 20 years of farming.

The Dolens began in 2005, alongside Candace’s parents – Doug and Lyla Yanishewski.

Today, the Dolens farm 4,500 acres of land with the help of their children Paige, Gracie, Reese, Malin, Allie, Jack, and Jenny.

The family is known to lend helping hands when needed in their area for Savanna Minor Hockey, Fourth Creek Community Association, St. Joseph’s Parish Council, the Savanna Volunteer Fire Department, Savanna School Council, and the Savanna Agricultural Society.

Lavoie Family – Northern Sunrise County

The Lavoies homesteaded in Northern Sunrise County in 1953 after Phillipe and Emma Lavoie traveled from Quebec with their family.

Lavoie and Fils, later known as Lavoie and Sons, was established by Phillipe and his nine sons who ran a dairy and grain enterprise.

The farm was divided into four distinct operations in 1999, which included Lavoie Ventures.

Today, the operation has 13,000 acres of farmland operated by Normand, Simon, Laurent, Alexander, and Levis Lavoie.

Franz Family – MD of Peace

The Franz Family Farm is owned and operated by Paul and Sherri Franz with their sons Lain and Garret.

The farm has 150 cow/calf pairs as well as 2,600 acres of grain, hay, and pastureland.

Sons Lain and Garret have been involved in many community/school sports as well as the Berwyn 4-H Multi-Coveralls Club.

Paul and Sherri also like to volunteer with 4-H at the club, district, regional, and provincial levels. They have also lent a helping hand in volunteering with the East Grimshaw Water Co-op, Grimshaw Agricultural Society, Gators Swim Club, and the school hot lunch program.