Community connection is at the core of a family-run ranch in Foothills County.
Stuart and Ruby Sinclair-Smith operate Viewfield Ranch east of Millarville, and the Sinclair-Smith family was recognized as one of southern Alberta’s 2024 BMO Farm Families during the Calgary Stampede.
BMO Farm Family Awards are presented to outstanding farm families and one family is nominated each year from the municipal districts south of Red Deer.
The Sinclair-Smiths say their place is more than a home, and more than a way to make a living.
Between working a cow-calf operation of 100 Red and Black Angus cross cattle and 1,000 acres of hay and cropland, the Sinclair-Smiths make sure the ranch serves as a gathering place for family, friends and neighbours.
The picturesque barn has been the setting for dances and post-branding parties.
At the house, the coffee pot is always on and is a place to sit down and talk shop, Stuart said.
With the motto “work hard, play hard,” special memories have been created, including the time Santa Claus arrived via helicopter for a visit over Christmas holidays.
Stuart and Ruby participate in the community through coaching baseball, by helping organize Millarville Days and by being active within the local church.
With no family member living more than 20 minutes from the ranch, there are always helping hands for Saturday workdays or at branding and haying time, and the family makes sure to have fun along the way.
The couple said it brings them great joy to see their family working together and building community in the process.
The earliest roots of the ranch trace back to 1911 when Francis Sinclair-Smith, Stuart’s father, came to Millarville from Scotland to try his luck at farming.
Francis met up with his uncle, Malcom Millar, whom the hamlet of Millarville is named after.
Called back to Europe to serve in the First World War, Francis returned to the Millarville area and purchased the ranch through a program for veterans. It’s been in the family ever since, and Stuart and Ruby (Lowe) were married in 1963.
BMO Farm Families are honoured at a reception during the Calgary Strampede.
Each family is presented with a personalized farm gate sign and meets with Stampede Royalty, Calgary Stampede board members, government officials and BMO representatives.