Rob Larson took the reins of RN Farms Limited in Wheatland County 41 years ago, but now he's ready to trade in his farmer's hat for a well-earned, more relaxed retirement.
The roots of RN Farms stretch back to the early 1900s, when Larson's grandfather first established the family-run operation.
After his grandfather retired, Larson's dad was next in line, and when his dad retired, it was up to Rob to run things.
When he took over the farm in 1983, he explained that farming back in the day was much different.
"It's become very expensive. Your land base has to be substantial to compete nowadays, given the high cost of machinery and land. The first land I bought was $420 an acre and that land today would sell for $8,000 plus."
Larson noticed a big change in the way he worked compared to his dad and grandfather.
"Just the way we farmed and the way I know my dad could never get over the crops I could grow by seeding everything, and he was always 50/50, and I was growing better crops."
Larson was a farmer from a young age.
"I was a farmer right from the barn, I loved it. I just love the lifestyle; I like being my own boss."
As Larson prepares for retirement, he faces an uncertain future for RN Farms—none of his children plan to take over, having chosen different career paths.
"In a way, I wish I could, and in the way I'm thinking, 'I'm glad they don't want to, because it's tough. I 'mean, I'm not selling the farm. So, they'll still get it eventually. What they do with it, I won't know."
Larson plans to officially retire at the end of this farming season, though he’ll remain on the farm near Hussar, where he continues to call home.