Grainswest - Fall 2025

Fall 2025 grainswest.com 35 Major investments and upgrades were on hold until Coulton decided to return to the farm. Now he and his dad work diligently to enhance management efficiencies and upgrade technology. Coulton’s first task was to implement new programs to improve documentation, record-keeping and farmmanagement planning. He is also upgrading sections of land by levelling and draining fields. They are also building a positive intergenerational dynamic, and notes his dad is always receptive to new ideas, even when he may be skeptical. FARMING FORWARD Since returning to the farm, Coulton has consciously remained connected with friends and classmates. He admits it’s easy to let the farm consume his time, and long work hours can create social isolation. “I know I need to make more of an effort,” he said. “I’ve had the benefit of watching my dad and am fortunate that he’s modelled a healthy work–life balance.” For Coulton, a large part of managing his mental health is acknowledging what he can and can’t control. He believes weather and commodity markets are two of the largest contributors of stress for farmers and is determined not to lose sleep over them. Though he admits the soaring price of land bothers him. “It’s so much harder for my generation to get into farming and to expand. It’s tough enough competing with other farmers, but now outside investors and institutions are buying up land in our area, too, making it even harder for those of us trying to build a future in farming.” Even with limited options to expand the farm, Coulton remains optimistic. He points to rising demand for locally produced food as adding value to his farm operation. “Local food demand is opening new doors for young farmers like me,” he said. Consumers increasingly seek Alberta-grown products, he noted, and online marketing tools make it easier to connect with them. He also keeps a close eye on emerging cropping opportunities and management practices to cope with climate change, which has pushed up heat units in his area. As he navigates the early stage of his farming career, he explores new ideas to strengthen the sustainability and long- term success of his family farm. YOUNG, DRIVEN AND FARMING Farming is better with family—just ask the Grutterink cousins. These three young farmers are securing their place on their family farms and growing their businesses to support multiple family members and generate new income streams. As the fourth generation of farmers in the Grutterink family, brothers Keith, 22, and Eric, 20, and their neighbouring cousin Cole,18, passionately take on the responsibilities that come with their family farms. All three started farming with the gift of a heifer from their parents. Since then, they have each grown their own beef herds and reinvested profits in building their respective family grain operations, and most recently, Keith and Eric’s custom farming business. As if they weren’t busy enough, they kicked off their own TikTok channel in 2022, Alberta Agri-Acres. “We wanted to show what farming means from our point of view,” said Eric. “We started playing around, and have built a platform to share, connect and engage with people all over the world.” With nearly 10,000 followers, Keith and Eric are putting their Rimbey farm on the virtual map. They showcase daily life on the farm, and Eric leverages his skills in filming and editing to carve out his own business venture in agri-marketing and promotion. DIVERSIFY AND THRIVE When they’re not capturing footage of their farming ventures, Keith and Eric raise cattle and grow alfalfa, barley, canola, corn silage, oats and wheat. They are building a custom field operations business that offers silage chopping and tillage. “We’re focused on diversifying our farm to generate multiple income sources,” said Keith. “Our goal is to sustain multiple siblings and future generations on the farm using only our existing land base.” Working with his dad and grandpa, Cole takes the same approach and is determined to maximize what he has rather than expand to drive growth. “I want the farm to be more sustainable,” he said. He is focused on reducing inputs, enhancing efficiencies and improving management practices. “I want to do more and do better with our acres and our cattle.” There’s nothing like farming, said Cole. He was “bit by the farming bug” early in life and has always aspired to farm full- time. After high school, he earned his Class 1 driver’s licence to expand work opportunities. “We wanted to show what farming means from our point of view. We started playing around, and have built a platform to share, connect and engage with people all over the world.” — Eric Grutterink