Broomfields win 2023 BMO Farm Family Award

Courtesy BMO, Calgary Stampede
It took a few moves for the Broomfield ancestors to find the place they wanted to call home, but they finally found it near Stavely over 120 years ago. Ever since it has been a place that has welcomed and touched many.
“Broomfield Farms has always been a welcoming place, going back many generations,” reflect Donny and Shlane, who won the 2023 BMO Farm Family Award from the M.D. of Willow Creek No. 26.
In the early 1880s, James Broomfield, decided to leave Ontario in search of his own land in southern Nebraska. However, James found the climate hot and dry, and he felt called to return to Canada. This time he and his family headed to Alberta in 1902. He found land three miles norh of Stavely, in the Porcupine Hills District, where he built his homestead. Interestingly, James was one of the first members of the Alberta Farmers Association and later served as Director. However, tragedy struck in 1914, when he was returning from Nebraska and his train derailed. He was the sole casualty.
“The story was that he was helping all the other passengers get out, when later he suddenly collapsed and died,” recalls Donny.
Afterwards, his sons, Russell and John, took over the farm opeartion and started to expand with land west of Turner Valley. Up until 1942 the land was owned and operated together by the brothers, but later divided into two parts. Russell’s son, Jack, along with his wife, Dena, lived and farmed the land, as well as founded the name Broomfield Farms Ltd. in 1985. Seven years later, their son, Doug, and his wife, Gwenn, moved to the farm to continue the farming tradition. Today their son Donny, and his wife, Shlane, and their two children, Ayla and Jack, are the fifth and sixth generation of Broomfields to live on the original homestead in Stavely.
The Broomfields run a mixed operation on their 3,400 acres of land, where they grow crops and raise Hereford and Hereford-Simmental cross cattle. Most crops are farmed neared the original homestead in the foothills of Stavely, where the moisture is good and the soil is rich. They also practise conservation techniques such as minimum tillage, residue management strategy and incorporating manure into their fertilizer program. The crops grown include barley, wheat, canola, oats, peas and lentils. Their herd of 650 cattle spend winters near Stavely and summers in the forestry where they graze until October. At which time they are moved to the Turner Valley land for a short period of time. The Broomfields practise robust rotational cattle grazing to ensure productivity and soil and range health.
Doug and Donny mainly run the day-to-day operations of the farm, with help from other family members, like Doug’s other son, Jimmy, who also resides on the family farm. However, every family member plays a part in the operation of the farm from operating machinery, helping with calving, riding in the forestry or helping at harvest. Additional family and friends come to help during key times of the year, and nobody ever leaves hungry with Gwenn’s delicious cooking.
The Broomfields are also active in their community. Doug has served as a volunteer of the Stavely Elks for 50 years and an active member today. He also served as Stavely Ag Society President for 37 years and was named Stavely Citizen of the Year in 1994. Gwenn has been active in the Daughters of Rebekah for the past 48 years, and has received numerous accolades for her service, including Stavely Citizen of the Year in 2002 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for community involvement in 2012. Donny and Shlane have also been active members of the Stavely Elks for many years, including serving in elected positions. Jimmy has also been an active Elks member for 20+ years. Donny has sat on the local Stavely Hall Board for 15 years, and following in his parents’ footsteps was named Stavely Citizen of the Year in 2007. Broomfield Farms has reached some incredible milestones as well, such as receiving the Centennial Farm status in 2003 from the Government of Alberta and the Bar U Heritage Ranch Family Award in 2020.
Although it was a bit of a journey for the Broomfield ancestors to find their new farm, the current-day Broomfields feel they are exactly where they need to be. As Broomfield Farms continues to evolve, they are eager to continue increasing land base, herd size and diversity, all while maintaining it as a welcoming place for generations to come.