A fifth-generation grain and hay farming family from west of Airdrie was among 19 recipients of the Calgary Stampede’s 2025 BMO Farm Family Awards, recognized Sunday at Stampede Park in Calgary.
The Woolliams family, owners of Woolliams Farms Ltd., were nominated by Rocky View County and honoured July 6 during an official reception and awards brunch hosted by the Calgary Stampede.
“Woolliams Farms Ltd. is owned and operated by 5th-generation grain and hay farmers, Larry and Kortney, along with their children, Paige and Trace,” the county said in an earlier statement. “The family-run operation has roots dating back to 1890 when the Woolliams family started one of the first local dairy farms in the Rocky View County area.”
According to the county, the farm has evolved into “an impressive progressive grain farming operation,” focused on precision agriculture and new technologies to maximize efficiency and improve planting practices.
The family is also active in the community, with deep ties to the Airdrie 4-H Beef and Sheep Club. “Their children have been members for over 10 years, winning many grand and reserved championships, and Larry has served as the club's Project Leader for seven years,” the county said. Woolliams Farms also purchases animals annually at the 4-H on Parade livestock auction to support local youth.
Woolliams Farms hosts an annual charity golf tournament to raise funds for mental health, focusing on providing support and resources; acknowledging those who struggle in the agriculture industry.
The farm is also a member of the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce, “focusing on promoting the agriculture sector to educate people about where their food comes from and how high-tech farms and ranches really are.”
The Woolliams family previously received the 2024 Rocky View County Master Farm Family Award. Candidates for the county award are nominated by their peers and evaluated by the Agricultural Services Board. The county has presented the award since 1989 to a farm or ranch family demonstrating “excellence in community service, agricultural business and industry involvement, team farm management, and technical farm production and sustainability practices.”
The Calgary Stampede and BMO Bank of Montreal created the Farm Family Awards to promote stronger connections between urban and rural Albertans and to recognize “southern Alberta farm families who best typify the value of the family farmer to our society,” according to the Calgary Stampede. Nominees are selected annually by Agriculture Service Board representatives from each district and must be active in agriculture or agri-food, with the industry providing their primary source of income.
Award recipients are honoured during an invitational brunch and reception, which includes greetings from Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture, a personalized farm gate sign, professional family photographs, park admission, a limited-edition pin, and tickets to the afternoon rodeo.
Nineteen families across southern Alberta were honoured this year, each nominated by their local municipal district. In addition to the Woolliams family, 2025 recipients included:
Cardston County – Kormos family
County of Newell – Retzlaff family
County of Warner – Keeler family
Cypress County – McNeill family
Foothills County – Herr family
Kneehill County – Stankievech family
Lethbridge County – Konynenbelt family
MD of Pincher Creek – McKim family
MD of Ranchland No. 66 – Streeter family
MD of Taber – Holst family
MD of Willow Creek – Vandervalk family
Mountain View County – Unger family
Special Areas No. 2 – McMillin family
Special Areas No. 3 – Huston/Lyster family
Special Areas No. 4 – Simkin family
Starland County – Kiemele family
Vulcan County – Matlock family
Wheatland County – Sammons family
Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon.
Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com. You can also message and follow us on Twitter: @AIR1061FM.
DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app.