For more than a century, taming the land and raising the finest purebred Hereford cattle have been in the blood and soul of David and Phyllis Bricker.Originally from Chestermere, their farm operation moved to Mountain View County in 1976. It is the same land, spread over 960 acres and 17 km southwest of Didsbury, that was originally settled by Phyllis's family in 1904.For these 36 years in the county the Bricker family has served as a role model for rural citizens; for both their expertise in raising superior animals and for the continuous and unparalleled community spirit that has become renowned to all who have had the privilege of meeting each member.This outstanding reputation was finally recognized during this year's Calgary Stampede when the Bricker family received the 2012 BMO Farm Family Award for Mountain View County. The goal of the award is to recognize outstanding Alberta farm families in the districts south of Red Deer. The BMO Farm Family Award was created to promote the relationship between urban and rural people and to increase the awareness of the high ideals of agriculture and the opportunities of rural living.“I am honoured and privileged to be invited to a group of prestigious award winners,” said David, whose family was one of 20 across southern Alberta to receive the award this year. “It marks my peers and neighbours out here. It is very important to me.”As for Phyllis, she too is honoured, but with a chuckle, she did note that maybe it was 10 years too late.“We were more active then,” said Phyllis, who at age 85 is still energetic when it comes to the land and farming. “We have slowed down in the past few years.”But don't tell that to David, who at age 87 still works at the farm, where his son Gordon is now the main worker.“During the winter I feed them every day. It keeps me healthy and it is wonderful therapy,” said David, who has no intention of quitting any time soon. “It is not my intention but it is inevitable.”Later this year David will receive a 50-year pin from the Canadian Hereford Association. This award symbolizes his commitment and faith in the breed, even during the decades when the British breeds seemed to be going out of favour.“When exotic cattle came in, they were the rage,” he said. “They did make us raise up our herds in value and type. In the long run, it's paid off, but it was a rough trip to begin with.”David said his operation calves about 60 cows a year. He said his family keeps replacement heifers and a group of a dozen or so bulls to market to the purebred industry.Even though they still work at the family farm, sons Gordon and Ross conduct most of the operations. Ross is mainly involved with herd management, as he also works at an executive job in Calgary.Gordon, the eldest, does most of the day-to-day work.The farm also grows barley, oats, canola and hay on more than half of its 960 acres.Outside the farm, both David and Phyllis are active members of their church, but have reduced their community involvement in recent years.Today, the family's tradition of community involvement is carried on by Ross and his wife Rose. They have been involved with the local school parent advisory committee and the Didsbury Skate Club. The couple and their children, Alexa and Kyle, are also members of the local 4-H.
