Agri Leader

The feed business supplied products to supplement
home-grown grain.
“Now the ranches are large – dedicated to cattle.
Many now focus on either livestock or crop farming, not
mixed as before. Farms have consolidated into large
acreages, efficient for large scale cropping. We also see
a lot of hobby farms. Young families, a growing population,
are locating on acreage homes because of the oil
industry success. They tend to keep a couple of horses,
maybe some sheep or goats but poultry has increased
significantly as has gardening.”
Further he says, “A new ‘generation’ family farm has
evolved in some cases. Mom and dad continue to live
on the family farm and the next generation builds there
as well. This means mom and dad help with the farm
operation and provide grandparent services, while the
young couple is employed off-farm, perhaps both having
outside careers. This phenomenon has increased
the school age population in the region. There has not
been an increase of corporate farms in the region unlike
many prairie communities.”
Cattleman of the Year
Dave and Sheila were honored with the ‘Cattleman of
the Year’ award in 2014 presented by the Lloydminster
Exhibition Association. The award recognized the Crittall’s
contributions to the farming and ranching community,
notably 4-H, and the beef industry specifically.
Paradise Hill Farm Supply contributes directly to many
youth events, team sports and all regional 4-H clubs.
They have helped to build these organizations. The local
4-H club has 65 members, mostly beef and horse
projects.
“In recent years, the 4-H movement has really gained
momentum in the region. We have supported 4-H aggressively
as a main focus of ours to support youth,”
explains Sheila.
86 AGRI LEADER » 2016
Recently when the community developed plans and
began fund raising for a new community centre, Dave
got involved on the committee. The plan is for a multiuse
complex built on the school grounds to include day
care, a teaching kitchen, sports activities and serves as
a second gym for the school and for the larger community.
“The five million dollar project is a huge undertaking
for a village of 600 and surrounding community,” says
Dave, “But that’s the nature of the people in this area.”
Major changes are underway
The Future
Major changes are underway. Last fall Dave and
Sheila made the decision to sell the business. In Dave’s
words, “The time had come to move to the next phase
of life, to retirement, to have time flexibility and to do all
those things neglected in recent years. Maybe I’ll even
go fishing. It will certainly give us more time for the
growing extended family; four families with 10 grandchildren
– one born last August and two in September.”
Ultimately they found “the ideal couple” to take the
farm supply into the future, to the next level. Brad and
Corrie Van Metre, the new owners are well known in
Paradise Hill. They have built alliances throughout the
region. Their three daughters (ages 8, 11 and 14), are
all outstanding members in 4-H. The family is totally
involved in the community. Their ranch has an indoor
arena for team sorting, roping and equestrian training.
There is activity in their arena three nights a week and
on the week-end. ”Those girls are incredible; they can
ride anything,” says Sheila.
In conclusion, Dave says, “Brad and Corrie have a
complementary skill set. He excels in operations and
sales, and she is skilled in financial matters with great
computer skills. They will take our legacy to the next
level.
“After what took 42 years to build, they are the best
people we could have hoped for to continue. We couldn’t
be happier with Brad and Corrie to look after and build
the business. Sheila and I wish them the best transition
from their previous careers in the oil industry, and
great success as owners of Paradise Hill Farm Supply,
renamed Paradise Hill Ranch and Western Wear Ltd.”
And all of us at Hi-Pro Feeds wish Dave and Sheila
much health and happiness in this next phase of life
called retirement. We know they will continue to be as
active as ever in their community, with all the many
people whom they have developed strong relationships
with over the years.
This picture shows two cowboys shaking hands, representing
cooperation, agreement and the fact that a hand-shake and a
man’s word are as good as any contract in many communities.
This fascinating picture is etched into the glass of the main office
window in the store