Etherington Century Farm Award

Etherington Family with the Century plaque. Photo submitted

The Etherington Family story is one deeply rooted in courage, faith and the enduring love of the land.

It began in 1906 when Edmund Etherington departed his home in Ewell, Surrey England to seek new opportunities in Canada. A young woman named Jessie Knowler of Eynsford, Kent England would later make that same journey across the Atlantic. The two had previously courted in England and were soon married. Beginning in British Columbia the couple travelled to Cessford, Alberta around 1916, and from there, their shared life unfolded.

In 1917, Edmund purchased the Landonville homestead, a decision that would shape generations to come. By April 1925, Edmund and Jessie moved North to settle permanently into their Landonville home. There they raised three sons: Eddie, Wilfred and Ray, instilling in them a love for family and a hard working spirit.

As the boys grew, they each charted their own course. Eddie married Elda Quickstad and continued farming in the Landonville area. Wilfred married Sheila Dorey and pursued a career as a pharmacist in Edmonton for twenty years. Wilf then followed his passion for nature and became a Biologist for the Canadian Wildlife Service. Ray, however, stayed on the farm carrying forward the hard work and dreams of his parents. Ray married Isabel Shaw of Clandonald, together they worked hard alongside their five children: Gary, Edith, Fern, Gail and Bruce to keep the farm running and thriving.

The Etherington Farm is now in the capable hands of Ray and Isabel’s youngest son, Bruce, and his wife Tammi. True to the Etherington spirit, Bruce and Tammi have also raised three children, each with a deep connection to agriculture.

Now the fifth generation grows up on the Etherington homestead, the family reflects with gratitude on their past and looks forward with hope to the future. This story is not just one of farming but of perseverance, community, faith and the unbreakable bond of family. The land that Edmund and Jessie dreamed of 100 years ago, has become a living testament to their legacy, a place where new generations continue to build their lives.

On July 11th-13th the multiple generations of the Etherington Family gathered together to celebrate one hundred years of history on the land they all have a connection to. The Etherington family was presented with the Centennial Farm and Ranch award by MLA Garth Rowswell. With nearly one hundred in attendance for the event, the family would like to thank everyone who made this possible.