Some Alberta ranchers are exploring the potential of venturing into tourism to secure the longevity of their family farms for future generations, even if it means offering slightly unconventional accommodations.
Breanna Morrison, a rancher in Southern Alberta, made a unique investment when she purchased five old grain bins through an online auction. Her vision was to repurpose these two-storey metal bins into hotel rooms on her ranch near Pincher Creek, overlooking the Castle River valley. Each unit, named “The Cattleman,” “The Trail Boss,” and “The Wrangler,” offers guests a taste of Canadian prairie life similar to what is portrayed in the TV show Yellowstone.
The newly opened Saddle Hill Ranch Cabins have been a hit, with bookings averaging around $300 per night for each unit throughout the summer. Morrison, who was inspired by converted grain bins she saw while traveling in the U.S. as a rodeo competitor, expressed gratitude for the positive reception and rapid word-of-mouth spread.
Converting the old grain bins into guest houses presented challenges, including obtaining permits for this unconventional project. Morrison, a third-generation rancher, embarked on a multi-year journey of planning and construction, facing difficulties due to the circular metal walls when installing windows, doors, and interior walls. Essential plumbing, heating, and electrical work were also required, along with setting up utilities at the remote grazing land location.
The overarching goal of this project is to diversify the ranch’s income stream and pave the way for Morrison’s children to potentially take over the family farm in the future. With the agricultural industry facing an impending generational shift, where a significant percentage of farmers are aging, succession planning has become a critical concern.
According to RBC Economics, by 2033, 60% of farmers will be over 65 years old. The number of farmers in Canada has declined over the years, raising issues around the transfer of farmland worth billions of dollars to the next generation. Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, a University of Alberta professor, emphasizes the importance of succession planning in agriculture, especially in light of escalating farmland values and the changing dynamics of farm operations.
Agritourism is emerging as a potential solution to attract younger generations to farming. For ranchers like Cindy Marr, who transformed three grain bins into guest houses at their beef farm near Waterton Lakes National Park, this diversification strategy has proven successful. The Twin Butte Silos guest houses have been consistently booked by visitors from various parts of the world, providing a new revenue stream for the ranch and setting the stage for sustainable operations for future generations.
As the agriculture industry evolves, the need for innovative approaches like agritourism becomes increasingly vital to ensure the continued viability and appeal of family farms. Ranchers like Morrison and Marr are paving the way for a new era in agriculture, where tradition meets innovation in securing the future of farming for generations to come.