Beginning in the early 80s, First Choice Operations provided products and services for hog farmers. When Penner Farm Services purchased the company in 2002, it came with a relocation of the business to Red Deer from Manitoba. Ten years later, in 2011, they made another move that found them settling in Lacombe County to their current location in the Wild Rose Commercial Park.  

This location appealed to them because it is in the heart of central Alberta farming country, is cost-effective for business, and provides excellent access. Because Penner Farm Services has clients across the province, a facility at the intersection of QEII and Hwy 12 allows for ease of travel for customers and for staff, who are mostly local to the Lacombe area.   

After getting married in 2017, Lorne and Alida Prins decided they wanted to return to Lacombe County, where Lorne grew up. After living in Edmonton and Vancouver and being separated internationally for work, the two agreed they would pursue any opportunity they could find that would return them to the family farm. The trouble was, what would this opportunity ‘bee’?

At the same time, some local beekeepers that were connected to the family were downsizing their beekeeping operations into retirement. Lorne and Alida were in the right place at the right time. Although the Prins had no background or knowledge in beekeeping, they jumped at the opportunity and have never looked back. 

Hops are a complex plant that when harvested and processed, are used to make beer. With the number of craft breweries in Alberta growing significantly over the last 5 years, more farmers are getting into the market by growing hops. The Bjarnasons were one of the first and after 5 years in operation remain one of the longest-running hops farms in the province. 

After Shayne & Jenelle purchased their acreage east of Lacombe, they began dreaming about how they could make the land work for them. With 25 acres to spare, surely there would be a crop they could grow on their land. With a passion for the craft beer industry and Jenelle's certification as level 1 agronomist the couple began their growing adventure and aptly named their business ‘Hop to It’ where they grow local, quality hops. The varieties grown are Cascade, Centennial, Mt. Hood, Northern Brewer, Columbus, Willamette – all with different features and tastes.

Is there anything better than the sweetness of a freshly picked strawberry? Mike and Bev Koornneef, along with their four children, would likely answer "no." Last year, they planted four acres of berry bushes on their seven-acre property. 2022 will be the inaugural picking season for Koornneef Farms. The family relocated to Lacombe in 2018 and lived in town while they patiently waited for the right property to come on the market. Four years later, they are literally 'living the dream' as they develop the property and build the farm. 

It doesn't take long to realize how important community is to Mike and Bev. When they tell the story of how they got to where they are, you'll hear about family members who do everything from consulting to weeding; Friends and relatives who come from far and wide to help establish the farm, offer marketing support and perform quality control. You can't successfully run a berry business without some serious taste-testing! They mentioned more than once that they would not have been able to accomplish what they have in such a short time without the tremendous support they've received, and their gratitude shines through.