Bruce Stampede organizers honoured Page 8 Wednesday, February 14, 2024 Vol. 47, No. 07
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Gibson Family Receives Century Farm Award Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely, along with Susan Lacombe, Programming Coordinator with Alberta Agriculture, made some special presentations last Thursday, Feb. 8, handing out or recognizing families in the Beaver County, Camrose County and Flagstaff County who had achieved a century, or more in many cases, on the family farm. The Donald Gibson family from Beaver County
had received their plaque previously, but was officially honoured with the Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award recognizing the Donald Leonard Gibson family for 100 plus years of farming on the original Owen Gibson farmland, established in 1916, during Thursday's event in Camrose. Lacombe, who has been administering the Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award since 2017,
explained the process she goes through documenting the award, saying, "Most people apply for the award themselves, but I have to prove it." She explained that the approval/proof process moved over to her department around 2017. "It is a real privilege for me to look into your family's genealogy - thank you for that."
Irma man rescued from grain bin Patricia Harcourt Editor
Local emergency units rescued an Irma man from a grain bin after he was covered in grain during an incident on Friday, Feb. 9. The call came to Irma Fire and Rescue at 10:04 a.m. telling the department that a man was trapped in a grain bin and needed to be extricated. The man had been covered in wheat “up to his chest and unable to move,” according to the Irma Fire and Rescue Facebook page account. Grain bin rescue equipment was needed so Wainwright Fire and Rescue and Edgerton
Emergency Services Department were both called in to provide these life saving devices. Also called in was the National Defence Fire Department, which had a ladder truck to help remove the trapped individual via the top of the bin. By 4:35 the situation had been resolved and Irma Fire and Rescue took time to update the public. “It was a long and difficult extrication and we are glad to report the patient was not injured,” stated the report, and taking time to acknowledge and thank “all our regional partners for all of your hard work. It’s amazing to see how well these departments all work together.” Another important emphasis was made following
the successful operation, and that was concerning the need for taking steps to stay safe while working on the farm. “We would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that farm safety is of utmost importance,” was the message to the public. “A situation can go sideways in a matter of seconds.” This year, Canadian Agriculture Safety Week is being held from March 10-16 with the theme “Your farm, your family, your success.” This is a three-year campaign celebrating farm safety across the country. The call is going out to encourage farmers, farm families, farm workers, and farming communities.