The Geremia family receiving their plaque on June 5, 2023 (Photo: Municipal District of Taber)

By Christian Oldale/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Municipal District of Taber presents award to family for 100 years of farming

Jun 9, 2023 | 2:02 PM

MD OF TABER, AB – The Municipal District (MD) of Taber has bestowed an award on a family for their many years of farming in the area.

The District presented a plaque signifying the first-ever Century Farm Family Award to the Geremia family in Council Chambers on June 5.

The MD of Taber’s Century Farm Family Award recognizes farm families who have actively farmed and continue to own the same parcel of land for at least 100 years.

The Geremia family has operated on their farm in the Retlaw area since it was homesteaded in 1908, and have continued to work on the land for over 100 years and six generations.

The Retlaw area was opened for settlement by the Dominion of Canada in 1908, and the plot of land was settled by Isidore (Joe) Mancini, who then convinced Christina and Angelo Geremia, his daughter and son-in-law to work on the farm in 1918. Christina and Angelo took over operation of the farm in 1927 when Mancini moved to the west coast.

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Since 1984, the farm has been operated by David and Fran Geremia, with David being the eldest son of Norman and Bertha Geremia, who took possession in 1958 and purchased parcels of land to expand it.

Agricultural Service Board Chair Councillor Murray Reynolds said in a news release, “They are outstanding farmers in the area, and this is truly a well-deserved award.”

The MD of Taber award was first launched in 2022.