Family and farming go hand in hand for Doug Brown. In fact, they are at the heart of everything Brown has accomplished since he graduated from Lakeland College, then known as the Vermilion School of Agriculture, in 1949.

A farm boy from near Westlock, Alta., Doug farmed well before his teenage years and before he began his post-secondary journey. When he enrolled at the Vermilion School of Agriculture (VSA) in 1947, there were only two programs available – agriculture and home economics.

Doug enjoyed his time in the agriculture program at VSA and gained many valuable skills.

“Lakeland taught me the importance of looking after your farm equipment and how to weld, to be able to repair the equipment yourself,” says Doug.

Family roots

Brown took those industrious lessons back to his family farm – Whistling Knoll Stock Farms – which is now a fifth-generation commercial operation, run by his son Murray, grandson CJ, great-grandsons Knox and Gunnar Brown, and great-granddaughter Isabelle Vera Brown.

“Knox and Gunnar are farmers-in-training and learning from the best mentor, great-grandpa Brown,” says Nadine (Prefontaine) Farkash, Class of 2004, one of Brown’s many grandchildren to attend Lakeland College. Today Farkash is an instructor in the agribusiness program at the Vermilion campus.

Whistling Knoll Stock Farms is located south of Westlock on a little knoll. Doug and his wife Vera, whom he married in 1955, were dairy farmers until 1984 when they sold their dairy cows and quota. They continued farming though, running a beef and grain operation. They also had chickens and pigs in the earlier years, and Belgium horse teams and quarter horses until 2016.

Together, Doug and Vera raised four children, are mentors to 13 grandchildren and are active great-grandparents to 23 great grandchildren. They instilled a love of agriculture in their children – a legacy that continues today.

“Grandpa and Grandma Brown’s farm has taught many life lessons. As Lakeland College values learner success, integrity, respect, community, excellence and innovation, Whistling Knoll Stock Farms exemplifies such values holding a legacy for five generations,” says Farkash.

Community driven

The Browns’ commitment to the ag industry is also reflected in their dedication to their community, where their volunteerism is both extensive and impressive. For more than 70 years, Doug has been a member of the Westlock Ag Society, while Vera has been a member of the Women’s Institute. Together, they organized many parts of the Westlock Fair. Both have been active 4-H members and leaders and belong to many boards and associations like a director on the Unifarm Board, the Pembina Cattle Breeders, Legal Grain Club, Busby/Pickardville Beef Club, Echo Hill Beef Club, Vimy Dairy Club and Vimy Beef Club, among others.

Doug was also instrumental in growing supports and services for the community. For instance, a Clyde-area resident, Mr. Tom Dempster, advised Doug to be a UFA connection to assist people in the area to place orders through UFA for farm products.

Doug recalls when they were first married, Vera stated, “It sure would be nice to have natural gas.” After connecting with a gentleman who helped bring natural gas to the Lacombe area, Doug invited him to share its benefits with residents in the Busby and Legal region. The effort was a success, making Doug and Vera the pioneers in bringing natural gas to their area.

Lakeland legacy

The Browns' Lakeland connection continues to grow. Several of their grandchildren are graduates of Lakeland: Adele Walsh, Class of 2002 agribusiness; Nadine Farkash, Class of 2004 accounting financial planning and current instructor; Mandy Kreiser, Class of 2005 early childhood development certificate; CJ Brown, Class of 2006, environmental conservation and reclamation diploma; Jordan Prefontaine, Class of 2010 electrical; and son-in-law Bernie Prefontaine, Class 1 drivers. Currently, a great grandson, Tye Walsh, is enrolled in Lakeland’s crop technology program. After this two-year program, he plans to continue his studies at Lakeland in the bachelor of agriculture technology degree program.

Doug remains tied to his alma mater since graduating 76 years ago. Up until recently, as a lifetime member of Lakeland College’s Alumni Association, Doug attended every Alumni Weekend event. He continues to give back to future generations of ag professionals by supporting Lakeland’s Legacy Tile project.

“I truly believe that the college was so beneficial to my farming career and wanted to share with the young farmers to continue on their education in agriculture,” he says. “I am honored to be on the Legacy Wall.”