Family is a competitive advantage in the business of farming, says Alberta’s newest Outstanding Young Farmer.
“(Family’s) been at the centre of our farm life for my entire life. It’s important for us to make this a family venture, something that everyone can derive some benefit from,” said Michael Kalisvaart, who along with wife Karen Jansen, was named the 2013 OYF winner for Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
The 38-year-old operates Kalco Farms, an 8,000-acre grain, oilseed and pulse crop operation near Gibbons that his parents started in 1979. His brother and brother-in-law both work in the operation, and his parents help out during the growing season. Jansen, who is a graphic designer, also works part time in the operation and designed the farm’s website (kalcofarms.com) and promotional materials. The couple has two daughters and a son.
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Farming is increasingly focused on business, but that makes the dedication and sense of pride that family members bring even more important, said Kalisvaart.
Their farm has not only grown in size, but also moved out of hogs in the past decade.
Expanding can be challenging as their farm, about 25 kilometres north of Edmonton, is on the edge of a new energy industry heartland. So instead of renting land from neighbours, they rent from companies that are waiting to develop. This means occasionally they lose land, though Kalisvaart noted there’s an advantage in having landlords who just want someone to take care of the land.
“We’ve had to look at growing our operation in the next county over,” he said.
But it’s a great area for grain farming, he added.
“We have excellent soil here, excellent fertility, and actually some of the best weather around as well,” he said.
Providence Grain, an 11-year-old largely farmer-owned agri-services company, markets the majority of grain produced at Kalco Farms. Kalisvaart is a shareholder and chair of its board.
Environmental stewardship is “one of the big things we try to do here,” Kalisvaart said.
An environmental farm plan was completed in 2006 and investments have to be made to eliminate chemical spills, have energy-efficient buildings, and reduce inputs through GPS and precision equipment. A pilot project will be undertaken this year to better target fertilizer, which will further reduce emissions, he said.
Kalisvaart is a committed life-long learner and has taken the Canadian Total Excellence in Agricultural Management program and the Canadian International Grain Institute’s farm leadership course. He’s taken courses on human resources, crisis management and business planning.
“I always enjoy education,” he said.
Efficiency is a key goal and the farm employs “lean management techniques” to identify and reduce waste in materials, time and labour. That also means leasing the majority of his equipment because it is all under warranty.
“For us, the service we get makes it the best strategy,” Kalisvaart said.
The national 2013 Outstanding Young Farmers’ event will be held in Regina in November, with two of the provincial finalists being named co-winners.
