INNISFAIL – For five generations the McAllister family has farmed on the original homestead under the same family name and in the same type of farming operation.
The McAllister family, owners of Antler Valley Farm just north of Innisfail, is the 2019 Farm Family of the Year.
“It’s a privilege and it is an honour,” said Sherri McAllister, noting the farm's local and global impact. “It’s not just the community, it’s our county, it’s the province and it’s international because as far as what we do, growing wheat, barley, oats and canola, it goes all over the world.”
Farming in Central Alberta for 129 years, Antler Valley Farm once had cattle, pigs, dairy and chickens, but since 2000 has focused on growing wheat, barley, canola and oats on its 4,000-acre operation.
“The community’s been incredible for us. We’re proud to be part of this community and our family is very involved in this community,” said McAllister, noting her husband Wayne passed on the farm operation four years ago to their sons Wade and Scott.
“What started off as a small farm at 800 acres is now 4,000 acres and there are hopes to expand that even further,” she added.
Antler Valley Farm has also made its mark on the international stage over the years, hosting tours from China, France, Australia and Brazil, and several agricultural organizations, as well as hosting exchange students from New Zealand and Australia.
In 2018, Wade and Scott were invited to speak on behalf of the Alberta Barley Growers at a symposium in Germany.
Antler Valley Farm will celebrate its 130th anniversary in July 2020.
