Ron Weaver, left, president of the Lloyd Ex board, presented the Cattleman of the Year Award to Harry and Jean Lake on Friday during Stockade Roundup in the Culligan Water Building. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Talk about putting down roots.
Harry and Jean Lake are the fourth generation to raise their family on land near Turtleford, homesteaded by Harry’s great-grandfather John in 1906.
The couple’s family history on the farm came to light when they accepted this year’s Cattleman of the Year Award at the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association (LAEA) on Friday.
The award is presented to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the cattle industry as well as their commitment to excellence, exemplifying quality rural life and involvement in the community.
“Many things have changed on our farm over the past 116 years, but the goal of growing crops and raising livestock while being good stewards of the land has remained the same,” said Harry in a statement.
“Over the years, we have been blessed with great neighbours, friends, and family who have supported us through the good times and bad. We want to ensure we leave the land in better condition than when we started so it can sustain generations to come.”
Their son Brad works as a service manager for Agland and lives in Lloydminster with his wife, Danielle, and three daughters Emily, Ada and Juliet.
The oldest daughter Rhonda is the CFO for On-Site Sign Group and lives in Langdon, Alberta with her partner Kelly and her two boys Dane and Tanner.
The Lake’s youngest daughter Sydney lives in Lloydminster and works at Synergy Credit Union as a small business and Ag advisor and is getting married next July to Kyle Payne, who works as a salesman for Novlan Bros. in Lloydminster.
Growing up in town and on the farm, the kids were all members of the Mervin 4-H Beef Club.
The elder Lakes currently raise about 130 cows on their 3,300-acre land base and rent out three-quarters of their grain land to lighten their workload.
They have been using Hereford, Charolais, Gelbvieh, and most recently the addition of Limousin bulls in their breeding program.
“We feel extremely privileged and humbled to be recognized alongside previous cattlemen and cattlewomen who have done so much for the betterment of the cattle industry,” said Harry.
“We accept this award not only for our generation, but for the generations before us who worked so hard to break land and make our farm what it is today.”
Over the years, Harry has been the chair of the Turtleford Ag Society, Mervin Church Board, Turtle River Parish, Turtleford Curling Club, secretary of the Mervin Wheat Pool committee and a director of Mervin Coop Board.
During his son’s minor hockey career, he was the team’s manager.
Jean was actively involved with committees within their church and community including Sunday school and AUCW, TADRA convenor, board member of the Turtleford Credit Union, Turtleford Ag Society and Turtleford Curling Club.
For approximately 20 years the Lakes were in charge of the 4-H and Beef Cattle show at the Turtleford Fair.
When it ended, they formed a committee and initiated the Turtleford Summer Cattle Show in 2010.
“Thanks to our hard-working committee and the great support from local cattlemen and businesses we have continued this show,” said Harry.
This year’s show had 56 pens of cattle which was the highest entry in the 12 years of the event.
The family history is too long to report, but it all began in 1853, when Harry’s ancestors John and Mary Lake moved from England to Plattsville, Ont.
They had 10 children, one of them being Harry’s great-grandfather John, who sprouted the family tree on the homestead.
