RIVERS
BANNER
ersary v i n Celebrating our 109th An
Gazette-Reporter
Serving the Rivers, Rapid City and Oak River areas for 108 years
Redferns receives recognition September 15, 2017
Volume 110, Issue 11
89¢ + tax
By Sheila Runions Banner Staff
I
t was 45 years ago (Oct. 1, 1972) that Ray Redfern moved from Red Deer, Alta to Rivers. The territory agronomy manager with Imperial Oil came here to return to his roots — he was raised in Harding — and to purchase the Imperial Oil Bulk Sales location from Fred Taylor. This depot was part of the Taylor and Son Limited business conglomerate and was started in 1920 by Fred’s father John. Ray converted the bulk sales operation to an agricultural retailer and renamed the company Redfern Farm Services. In the years since, he has grown his business to now include 11 locations in southwestern Manitoba: Brandon, Carberry, Hamiota, Hartney, Kenton, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Rivers, Shoal Lake, Souris and Virden. The franchise employs more than 80 regular staff; during peak seasons when additional workers are hired, there are as many as 125 pay stubs issued. According to its own website, “Redferns provides the widest industry selection of seed, fertilizers and crop protection products to customers. Custom application services, field product deliveries, fertilizer application equipment rentals, along with comprehensive soil testing programs, agronomy support and product recommendations, are all provided by our professionals. Our sales and agronomy staff offer unbiased advice to assist our grower partners in producing the most profitable high-yielding crops possible. We work alongside producers, not just selling them products. By focusing on t he ind iv idua l
needs of our many customers’ and their operations, our team shows their commitment to our farmer partners to provide them solutions with informed, ethical recommendations.” It may be because of these statements that the business was short-listed in late August as a f inalist for the 34th annual Manitoba Chamber of Commerce awards. There are five categories, each with three semi-finalists; of those 15 nominations all but four are from Winnipeg. The Redfern nod falls under the Outstanding Medium Business, in which they compete against Norima Consulting Inc. and Shindico Realty Ltd. It will not be known until Friday, Oct. 27 if Redfern can claim the prize; winners will be announced at a gala banquet at Canad Inns, Polo Park. Tickets ($195 each) to the event are available on the provincial chamber website (mbchamber. mb.ca). Manitoba Business Awards were established in 1983 to recognize and celebrate outstanding businesses and individual achievements by the Manitoba business community. Awards are presented based on successful employee relations, sustainable growth and community development. Redfern Farm Services certainly supports community development. In the years Ray lived in Rivers (1972-2000), he personally joined several economic/ industrial development boards and his company has provided immeasurable financial support to an unknown number of community causes during nearly 50 years. Ray has ensured his staff
share his passion for supporting their towns; “staff are deeply involved in the communities they serve and in which they reside. Redfern’s provides ongoing support to numerous large
community projects, as well as many service clubs.” Indeed, their most significant donation here was to Rivers Recreation Facilities Review Committee when the company bought
naming rights in R iverdale Community Centre; Redfern Hall is the large meeting room on the second storey of that complex.
Happy flowers Photo by Sheila Runions
The raised railway tie flower bed at Rolling Dale Enterprises in Rivers sported sunflowers for the first time this season. When employee Mary Kilmury was watering it with a client, she realized the florets on the seeds would brush off. To cover that accidental swipe, she made a happy face on the offending head; so pleased was she with that result that she made the same design on all plants in the bed. Sadly, staff removed those plants after only two weeks of smiling but passersby will remember them well.