We're inspired by the stories of our members.
When we say that we're for farmers at UFA, it isn't just empty marketing speak. Lots of us are farmers ourselves, even at the highest levels of the co-operative. Take Fred, our President and CEO, for instance. Beyond leading the organization, he's living the customer experience, trading his suit for boots as a rancher outside of the boardroom.
Fred and his wife Tanya launched Little Tree Ranch, one of Canada's few purebred registered Highland cattle folds. Along with one of his sons and his kids, the Thuns are collectively working to build a ranch from the ground up that can live well into the future. "Opportunity and potential are everywhere on the land, but every project is expensive and cost planning is critical," Fred says. "We've learned the hard way that it is easy to sign up for more than you can physically do. Every day on the ranch involves learning but every day, we get a bit better."
The family now owns about 60 head (a big jump from the original 6 acquired in 2024) and the herd has grown to include commercial angus crosses. They've also dabbled with sheep and vegetable production and added a chicken tractor which allowed them to raise over 100 meat chickens annually. Hay fields have been seeded as well, in hopes that the ranch will produce some of its own winter hay.
Having his boots in the mud gives Fred real insight into the challenges our members face. "Every day on the farm poses a new challenge, from equipment breakdowns to escalating costs to regulatory problems to sudden weather events. There's always something unforeseen to adapt to. Farmers must navigate these challenges while constantly investing into new equipment and infrastructure to keep the business going. It takes a strong-willed and aligned team to run a successful farm. But all the hard work is worth it when I see our grandkids growing up on the ranch and living an unrivaled farm life."
When he isn't working and ranching, Fred is a sports enthusiast, having run several half marathons and a full marathon. He also spent a decade in the press box at McMahon Stadium as part of the CFL's official game day statistics crew. His love for sports blends friendly competition, strong relationships and a grasp of data, which are equally as important in the boardroom as they are on gameday. Fred lives UFA's values and sets a clear example of leadership rooted in the everyday experience of the people we serve.
Just north of Lloydminster, you'll find Terra and Ron Weaver working the land they've had in the family for generations.
Seven, to be exact, if you count their grandchildren. The Weavers raise cattle, sheep, laying hens and honeybees in addition to growing grain and oilseed crops. Terra, who was raised in town, embraced farm life over 30 years ago. "I was honoured to be one of the recipients of the AFSC Women in Ag award in 2023," she shares, reflecting on her journey from newcomer to confident co-manager of the farm. ...
The Weavers strive to produce healthy food while simultaneously caring for the land that sustains them. "Farmers care about the environment," she emphasizes. "It's in our best interest to ensure the health of the soil as well as the plants and animals that we grow. We love the freedom and opportunity to improve our practices every year and to see the rewards that come from our efforts," Terra says. This approach to sustainability extends to their succession planning, too, as their son and his family have joined the operation with a plan to scale the farm by direct marketing poultry, beef, lamb, pork, honey and eggs.
Outside of farming, Ron and Terra are active volunteers. They help bridge the urban-rural divide through education and community events showing people in the city where their food comes from. But it's all in a day's work for the Weavers. Because for them, farming is more than a livelihood. It's a legacy of stewardship, family and community.
As a fifth-generation farmer, ag is in Nikki's blood.
Nikki loves it all: from the smell of soil during spring seeding, to the excitement of calving and watching them grow all summer, to the late-night autumn combine rides. ...
"After college, I spent just eight months in a traditional job before realizing it wasn't for me. I took a leap and started my own agronomy business, which opened an entirely new world," Nikki says. Today, she uses this know-how to shape her farm into a sustainable operation that balances profitability with strong values, so her daughters will be proud of what's been built once it's their turn to take it over.
When Nikki isn't farming, she's still hard at work co-owning a sustainable kids' clothing company with her sister-in-law and running a truly unique business venture. "I rent out laying hens and incubators to urban families who want fresh eggs or the experience of hatching chicks. It's been a great way to connect people to farm life in a hands-on way!"
Farmers wear a bunch of different hats in a day, and Benjamin is no exception.
Benjamin is a 6th generation farmer in Lamont, AB, producing hay and raising a herd of Herefords. He also maintains a market-size garden for friends and family, is a full-time Mechanical Engineer, a hobbyist photographer and happens to be one of the top old time fiddlers in all of Alberta. ...
That's enough to keep most people busy for a lifetime, but not Benjamin. "The big goal is to purchase more land to expand and diversify." he says "I enjoy watching things grow and raising the food that ends up on my family's plate."
As for what drives him? "You really have to be an optimist to persevere. Every year you take a huge gamble and risk at the mercy of the weather and global markets, so you have to be strategic and look ahead. There's plenty of background work that needs to be done to maintain a successful operation. It's a busy life, but it's worth it."
The Wymengas are pretty well-known around these parts.
Rose sat on the Leslieville Hall board for 15 years, Dick was a county counsellor for 2 terms and serves on the Board of Directors for Alberta Grains, and they were active in the local 4H with Rose even leading it at one point. ...
You'd think after 40+ years giving their all to their community and farm, the Wymengas would want to slow down a bit…but you couldn't be more wrong. "We've got 150 mother cows in our cow/calf operation, we grow barley and canola, forage for the cattle, we also have a garden for ourselves, our kids and the grandkids…we will go for as long as we can," says Dick.
When they're not farming, the Wymengas love horseback riding, roping, and spending time with their grandkids. They also volunteer at a friend's cattle ranch each year to show groups of lucky schoolchildren where their food comes from. And for when they eventually decide to slow down, Rose has her eyes overseas. "We've been to Australia and New Zealand, I love laying on the beaches in Hawaii, we love Rome and Vatican City. Maybe we'll slow down... just a little bit."
Mike is a busy guy these days.
Aside from Mike's family obligations and tending to his goats, cows, pigs, and chickens, he's got his hands full with the latest addition to his farm: a "U-Pick" pumpkin operation with over 24 varieties of pumpkins ...
"We sell about 3,000 pumpkins per year to customers from all over Alberta" says Mike, who grew up on a dairy farm and has been heading his current operation for 14 years. "Farming is not a 9-5 job. My day doesn't end until the work is done."
And if you didn't think he was busy enough, Mike's also a full-time mechanic and runs his own engraving business. "This year I actually laser-engraved the ear tags for our new babies. It's one of my favourite parts of farming—all the new babies come spring time. It's better than Christmas for us!"
Brooke Vanderkley is a big believer in regenerative ag.
As a first-generation farmer, she makes it her goal to leave the land better than she found it. "Giving back to the soil, providing animals with the utmost care and attention, and producing a high-quality end product is extremely important to us." ...
You can see this philosophy at work in every inch of Brooke's 160 acre farm where she raises pastured broilers, laying hens and highland cattle along with offering breathtaking camping, glamping and vacation home accommodations to ag-curious guests. "We love sharing our farm with our guests and giving them a look into how food can be raised in a regenerative way."
There are no days off for Brooke. She's just entered the world of livestock sales and continues to scale the agritourism side of her operation, with hopes of her farm becoming a major player in Central Alberta's burgeoning agritourism sector.
"If you have the option to support a family farm—do it!"
