Farmer Keaton Bachalo didn’t have the day off—but that didn’t stop him from enjoying the 2025 Farmer’s Appreciation Lunch with his family. Still in his work clothes, Bachalo made time to take a short break from his fieldwork to connect with fellow producers.
“The pulled pork really hit the spot after a day at work,” notes Bachalo. “I’m still in my work clothes. I’m ready to go back at it.”
He brought his son Blake along for the outing, describing it as a meaningful part of his day.
“Getting to take my son with me to the farm, bring him here for a lunch—it’s a beautiful day here, and it’s nice to visit with other farmers when you’re still busy, you know,” he says.
Bachalo added that this year’s lunch was especially meaningful because it brought four generations of his family together.
“We’ve got a great-grandpa over there—he’s 87 years old—Arnold, the patriarch of the family. We’ve got my father Daryl, me, Keaton, and my son Jake,” he says.
“It was nice to be here. We have four generations here at this lunch, from our family farm. So it’s good to take a break and come out for lunch and visit with some friends.”
Bachalo also thanked the hosts and event partners.
“Thanks for having us out, and thank you to Portage Online and all the sponsors. They all support us around here and the local community farming community, so we’re thankful that they could put this up for us.”
Lunch draws farmers, sponsors and neighbours
Allan Bjurling also came for the food and fellowship. Though he didn’t make it around to visit all the sponsor booths, he appreciated the experience.
“I got my fill,” says Bjurling. “That's what I wanted. I haven't got around to all the sponsors yet, but it's backing on up right now, so I gotta get on them.”
He says he’d likely return next year.
“Yeah, probably,” he adds.
He especially enjoyed putting faces to voices from the local airwaves.
“I like to see who’s on CFRY. I hear them, but I don’t know what they look like.”
Event blends appreciation with reconnection
Betty Koldyk found the event just as valuable for the people as it was for the meal.
“Wonderful. Beautiful as always,” says Koldyk. “You get to meet all the different neighbours that you haven’t seen for a while. And all the effort they put into it and all the sponsors and everything—it’s wonderful.”
He confirms he’ll be back again next year.
“We are, yes,” he adds.
Sponsorship rooted in community values
Rachel Friesen of Squirrel Creek Seeds, one of the 2025 Farmer’s Appreciation Lunch sponsors, made the trip in from Austin, Manitoba. For her and her team, being part of the day was an opportunity to give back.
“Farmers give a lot back to our community and this is one opportunity to give back to them as well,” says Friesen.
She also enjoyed the chance to connect with both familiar and new faces.
“Old faces, new faces—it’s really great to see everybody come in,” she adds.
The lunch was hosted by Golden West Broadcasting and held at the MNP building on the Island in Portage la Prairie.
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~With files from Tylor Baer and Cory Knutt
