Meet Tricia Fehr, one of four farm members on Rocky View County’s Agricultural Service Board.
“I'm a fifth-generation cattle and grain farmer east of Crossfield. For the past ten years, I've farmed full-time alongside my dad and uncle – a journey made possible thanks to the support of my mom and husband. My children, now the sixth generation at ages 10 and 14, both lend a hand on the farm as well.
I've always loved the outdoors, science, and math, and farming lets me combine all those passions. My career began as a field geologist, but after having children, long periods away from home became impossible. In 2013, my parents welcomed my husband, our one-year-old son, and me back to the farm from Saskatoon. I quickly discovered how much I loved farm work and became determined to make it my full-time career. No two days are ever the same; I get to be outdoors and physically active every day. My dad has also been a tremendous influence – growing up, I saw his deep appreciation for the farm lifestyle, and when I returned as an adult, he taught me everything I know about cattle and grain farming.
As the eldest of two daughters, I was often asked to help with farm tasks that required more than one person. From a young age, I was given significant responsibility – driving machinery, caring for the cattle, and frequently chosen to help over my older male cousins. These experiences shaped my belief that agriculture and the farm were where I belonged, and that someday, I would be responsible for caring for the land and animals my family is so fortunate to steward.
I joined the Agricultural Service Board at my sister’s urging – she was the agricultural fieldman for Parkland County at the time. She believed I could offer a fresh perspective and would benefit from learning and staying current with agricultural issues. What I didn’t expect was how valuable the interactions with council members and the board’s discussions about challenges facing the County and its farmers would become to me in this role.
Farm life and agricultural work keep me grounded and help me appreciate the small things – like the cows’ happiness when they see the tractor bringing food on a cold morning, a new mama cow nursing her first calf, or the way a barley field ripples like ocean waves in the wind. Watching my son learn to drive the combine at harvest, or my daughter bottle-feeding an orphan calf, reminds me that, while this lifestyle is challenging, it’s incredibly rewarding. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
The young people in agriculture give me hope for the future. Every young person I’ve met from a Rocky View County farm has inspired me and left me thinking, ‘One day, you’re going to change the world.’”
Rooted in generations of family farming, a deep respect for the land, and a strong belief in the future of agriculture, Tricia brings lived experience, curiosity, and a dedicated farming voice to Rocky View County’s Agricultural Service Board. To learn more about the Board, visit: https://www.rockyview.ca/.../agricultural-service-board.
