INNISFAIL – Belvin Angus ranch has long been a friendly and prosperous place where family members are proudly involved in “Cattle Politics.”
Gavin and Mabel Hamilton have been involved in the Angus breed for more than 40 years, and along with their son Colton, have produced numerous prestigious champions and proudly served on numerous provincial and national industry committees and councils.
The family's well-earned reputation and expertise, respected across the province and country and even internationally, is firmly entrenched.
And now locally they have earned this year's Farm Family of the Year Award, sponsored by the Innisfail and District Chamber of Commerce and handed out at the Community & Business Awards Gala on Oct. 13.
“It is a great honour to win it and it is wonderful that the Chamber acknowledge our agriculture industry in the rural community,” said Mabel, whose ranch is celebrating its 125th anniversary of being settled by Gavin's grandfather Matthew Hamilton in 1892.
“Everybody in our family is involved in cowboy politics in some way or another as well as being involved in our operation altogether, and it is very important that we are a family and that we contribute to the feeding of the people in the world.”
Showing cattle has always been an integral part of Belvin Angus and the family's operation. They are proud of the many prestigious champions they have produced over the years. Mabel said while it is an honour to win the award it is also important the recognition helps raise the profile of the family's industry.
“I think we have gotten so far away from the urban people and they don't understand what we do,” said Mabel. “It is really important that we raise our profile, that we are very efficient, we try our very best and that we wouldn't do anything that isn't good for everyone.”
