4 minute read
Akers Acres Project Cultivating Education in Agriculture
Akers Acres Project Cultivating Education in Agriculture
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Deep down Brock Fenske said he’s always wanted to be a farmer, but it wasn’t until his best friend and mentor told him, “You won’t know if you don’t try. So, quit talking about it, and go farm already.”
Brock explains, “With the help of my grandpa Gordon, a drive out to Tofield, and a couple of maple walnut ice creams; I was going to be a farmer. It’s been eight harvests and a lot of character building moments, but my little hobby has turned into an almost fulltime hobby and my passion for being a farmer has only grown.
I found even my close friends had no clue what it meant when I was going swathing or seeding or too busy because I had to combine. So, I told my mom (Jackie) on a Sunday night that I thought we should share my little amount of knowledge and my passions with others, in a way to help people understand and appreciate farming, even just a little!
Our Akers Acres project was the idea that happened somewhere between that Sunday night and Monday morning. My mom had three people signed up and we had no clue what to do! Basically, we rent our new farmers an acre for the season. They pay for the inputs and costs associated with farming their acre, follow the growing process with updates, pictures, zoom calls and visits to their field.
After harvest when the grain is marketed they get a cheque right from our local Providence elevator for the grain from their acre. There’s no guarantee that it will be a profit or loss, but we do provide the little bit of knowledge that I have and a meal out in their field.”
This is the third year Akers Acres project has been operating, and Brock says they have been “tweaking it” a little bit every year. We have Alberta’s newest farmers. Some grew up on a farm and life took them to the city. Some have parents that had to sell the farm before they could take over, and some have no idea about farming and fall in love with it out in the country at our meal in the field.”
This year’s Meal in the Field at Akers Acres near Josephburg, was held on Sept. 9. It was the perfect opportunity for participants and guests to enjoy a delicious homemade supper and learn more about the project and how they can get involved.
One of the special moments for Brock came when he received an Award of Excellence in Agriculture from Strathcona County in 2023. Kaya Kasook, President of the Josephburg Ag Society, nominated the Akers Acres project for the award. Brock said it was an “incredible honour and special evening” to share with his wife Angela along with other family members.
Brock modestly says, “I don’t really know how much I contribute to the agricultural industry at this point, but even if a couple people learn a little about farming and respect what we do and how goods get onto their tables, it can’t be a bad thing.”
When asked about his goals, Brock responded by stating, “I’m a farmer and that was my goal. Not a big farmer by any means, but I’m a farmer and I love it. I don’t know what the next step will be. Right now, my dad Doug and I farm together. Like any small new farmer, we couldn’t do it without the help of everyone in our farming community. There’s always a neighbor happy to help with any questions or issues I’m having. Their knowledge and advice has been priceless, but so very affordable for a farmer starting out.”
