GrainsWest Tech 2020

Tech 2020 grainswest.com 27 A FARMER THROUGH AND THROUGH “Development of the Noble blade was a significant step in soil conservation,” said Ben Ellert, a soil research scientist at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lethbridge Research and Development Centre. Ellert recalls using a Noble blade cultivator to control weeds during his early years on the family farm at Milk River in the late 1970s. The tool was widely tested at research centres during the 1930s and 1940s and used in zero-till research projects even into the 1990s. Henry Janzen is a semi-retired agricultural researcher in Lethbridge. He similarly said Noble developed an important link in early soil conservation efforts. “Development of the Noble blade was a pivotal event,” said Janzen. “Charles Noble was among many who were horrified by severe soil erosion and worked hard to find a solution. The Noble blade was probably an important intermediate step between mold board plowing and no-till farming. It took a while to be adopted, but farmers came to appreciate the importance of keeping stubble on the soil surface.” Noble would no doubt have been proud to know that certain conservation farming methods he and like-minded farmers pioneered remain in practices today. Noble’s great-grandson Mike Noble was busy direct seeding canola on his farm northeast of Nobleford when GrainsWest spoke to him in early May. With family members, he farms about 3,000 dryland acres as well as irrigated cropland. The family carries on the conservation farming practices of continuous cropping and direct seeding adopted by his late father Bryan Noble more than 30 years ago. Mike never knew his great-grandfather who died in 1957 at the age of 84, but is certainly aware of his legacy as a champion of conservation farming methods. “Actually, from where I am seeding today, I can see some of the Noble blade cultivators that were once used on the farm,” said Mike. “I believe my great-grandfather had a huge impact on the conservation farming movement. He, along with others, led the way for zero-till farming. Some people note that C.S. Noble was only involved with tillage, but that was primarily an interimmeasure. He was interested in conservation farming and very forward thinking. He was always interested in what was next, looking for the next improvement.” Noble’s grandson, also named Charles, now owns the two- storey house in Nobleford sometimes referred to as the Noble Mansion. Semi-retired from farming, he is also a writer and poet and enjoys spending time in the home’s comfortable den with books from its extensive library. He fondly recalls his namesake. “We lived in the house across the street from the big house, but as kids we would come over to visit and my grandmother [Margaret] would serve us cookies,” said Charles. “My grandfather was quite an imposing figure, he was a tall man, 6’2”. He always enjoyed spending time with us and he had quite a sense of humour. “He was a man who loved horses. He farmed with 600 head at one time, but he had his favourites. He’d often be up at 3 a.m, and head out to the barns to feed the horses. He used to farm with some huge hitches. He actually hated to see the horses replaced by steamers, but realized it was necessary.” Charles said while many words can be used to describe his grandfather, “more than anything, he was a farmer through and through. He was a farmer committed to conservation farming practices. When he was around the factory, he was certainly a businessman. My dad and my uncle along with others always called him ‘the chief’ as he was always thinking and had a lot of drive,” said Charles. “When he was out in the country and perhaps saw another farmer doing something he might not agree with, he would often stop and talk to them about conservation farming. He always promoted the idea of smaller farms, simply because he felt they were easier to manage properly and could adopt best management practices. “Yes, he was an entrepreneur, a businessman and a good salesman, but it all involved promoting conservation farming,” said Charles. “Right to the very end he was concerned about protecting the soil.” Great-grandson of Charles Noble, Mike Noble and other family members continue to farm a short distance from the town of Nobleford.