Sandum family recognized with BMO Farm Family award

The Sandum family is the 2023 BMO Farm Family for Wheatland County. 

Every year, the Calgary Stampede and BMO Bank of Montreal recognize outstanding farm families in southern Alberta. The awards program was created to promote a renewed urban-rural relationship and to recognize outstanding southern Alberta farm families who best typify the value of the family farmer to our society. 

Alvin and Kim Sandum run a family farm on the east border of Wheatland County out by the village of Hussar. The Sandum's Gordon Sandum Farms Ltd. has roots that trace back to 1927 when Alvin’s grandparents built the family farm up from nothing. 

"It was really such an honor to be nominated, I think that Alvin's mom, dad, and his grandparents would be so proud right now," Kim Sandum said.

The Sandum's were asked by their county councilor Rick Larson if it would be alright if he put their name forward for a chance to be a farm family. 

"We then were asked to write a history about our family farm, how long you've been in the area and what your community involvement is, and basically just the history of your farm and how you've been involved in the community all these years," Kim said.

As luck would have it, they ended up winning for Wheatland County. The day they were awarded the award, they were treated like royalty at the Calgary Stampede. 

"We had this beautiful brunch, and they call each family up on stage and they read their family history, and then you're presented with a huge metal sign that goes on your front gate and a photo, and then we're taken to Stampede for the day. It was a lot of fun," said Kim.  

Gordon Sandum Farms is a 7,200-acre mixed operation of grain and cattle. They do it all from wheat, barley, canola, and peas, as well as running their cow-calf operation. Alvin and Kim's kids - son Wacy and daughter Ciara, as well as her husband Riley still to this day keep up with the operations of the farm alongside their parents. 

"Both of our kids are back on the farm with us, our daughter's husband and her little guy as well - he would be a fifth-generation farmer. I just think that they (Alvin's grandparents) would be so proud of everything, they started out with nothing," explained Kim.

Kim said that she didn't realize how big of an honour being a Farm Family would be until it was actually happening to her family. 

"You see all the other farm families and all of the things that they have contributed to their community. It was very interesting, and you meet some awesome people as well." 

Alvin and Kim have done a number of quite spectacular things in their community as well, which has made them deserving of the title of BMO Farm Family. Alvin has served many years on the Hussar Ag Society board as director and a few of those years as president. 

Kim also currently serves on the Community Enhancement Regional Board (CERB) for Wheatland County, which she has done for the past 10 years, as well as sits on the board of directors for Duck Lake Community Hall. 4-H was also an organization that played an active part in the Sandums’ lives, where both Alvin & Kim and their two children were active leaders and members.

"That is what you need to do, to keep your community running and if you want to be able to give back," Kim explained.

When their kids were younger Alvin and Kim actively participated in parent councils, and associations and coached their kids' sports teams. 

The Sandums are honoured and grateful to be considered a BMO Farm Family and Alvin and Kim hope that the farm will continue on for the generations to come. 

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