Starland County CHAMBERS FAMILY Morrin,

The roots of the Chambers family are embedded deep in the Part of that lifestyle is contributing to the community, whether soil of , providing a solid foundation for the it’s Mick and Margaret always lending a hand whenever needed future. or their 50-year membership in the Sunbeam Community Society. The 2020 BMO In June 2009, the family Farm Family for Starland served buffalo burgers as County’s involvement in they hosted 300 people to the community is long and celebrate their Century deep, from the Morrin Farm and Ranch Award. So Figure Skating Club to the much has changed since Morrin Lions Club to the Clyde and Ivy Chambers Starland County Recreation worked the homestead Board. Clyde established in 1909 after coming from Indiana, Gary and Martha met says great-grandson Gary while earning their Chambers. bachelor’s degrees in physical education from the “Farming has become University of Alberta. After increasingly complex, graduation, they returned to make their home on a nearby farm with in-field technology/agronomy, managing global markets, site that was originally Margaret’s parents. The couple worked public perception and environmental stewardship,” Gary says. together with Gary’s parents and expanded the land base, “Farmers of today and the future must be multifaceted in their adopting new technologies and methods along the way. Now that skill set to survive. I am very lucky to have spent 20-plus years Mick and Margaret have retired to town life in , Gary working and learning from my parents and I carry those lessons and Martha run the two operations together, with help from with me daily.” their son, Chase.

Mick and Margaret Chambers set the example for Gary “Farming has, and always will, be our way of life. We’ll and his three sisters, from the hard work needed to keep the continue to manage, conserve and adopt the most sustainable operation going to helping out in the community. In 1963, the practices that ensure the productivity and health of the soil for couple moved to the half section established by Clyde and Ivy. future generations,” Gary says. They started out with a mixed farm, but gradually acquired more cultivated land and shifted to just growing wheat, barley In addition to farming, Gary has an established career as and canola. Their four children — Wanda, Sherry, Marleen and a Realtor. He’s also a runner, cross-country skier, endurance Gary — were brought up on the farm and learned to look after mountain bike racer, hockey player and self-confessed the land that sustained them. “endorphin junkie.” He merges his passions for fitness and agriculture in Fit Farmer, a podcast he co-hosts that promotes “We’ve nurtured the family’s love of the land and we respect an active lifestyle to those living in rural communities. He also the responsibility that came with that,” Mick says. “We were spreads the message through social media and his TractorView thankful for the support and assistance of our families that gave blog. us the opportunity to establish our lives on the farm.” “Within the industry, it’s so important to promote mental and “The love of family and farm enriched our lives. There is no physical health,” Gary says. better way of life,” Margaret adds.