Reimer Family celebrated as 2026 BMO Farm Family for County of Forty Mile

Posted on July 16, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

BMO

The old adage “many hands make light work” is certainly true for the Reimer family. However, more importantly, many hands working together is what makes the work on their family farm the most enjoyable. The Reimer family is the 2026 BMO Farm Family from the County of Forty Mile and operates GBB Joint Venture. The venture consists of four separate entities: G-K Reimer Farms, operated by Gerald and Kathy; UB Farms, operated by Brent and Tammy; Rock N’ Horse Farms, operated by Brad and Karen; and Reimer Rd Farms, operated by Brenton and Cayley. Together, they collaboratively run their farms and work as one big team. 

John Reimer, the grandfather of Gerald and Brent, immigrated from Russia in 1925 and started a mixed farm in southern Alberta. When he set out on his own, his eldest son, Ben, and his wife, Marg, bought land south of Burdett in 1956 to start their own farm. Marg grew up on a sugar beet farm, so the couple started growing the crop on their new land and became one of the first three families to grow sugar beets in the area. As their sons, Gerald, Brent and Harvey, grew up, they started farming alongside their father. Harvey eventually decided to pursue a career off the farm, while Gerald and his wife, Kathy, and Brent and his wife, Tammy, continued farming. Their father, Ben, eventually retired, although he continued to come out on day visits from the nursing home to help until he was 93. Today, Gerald and Kathy’s sons and their families — Brad and Karen, Brenton and Cayley — are also involved in the operation. 

Although the family farm initially started as a sugar beet farm, the Reimers transitioned out of the crop as they moved to pivot irrigation. Today, their venture includes a variety of crops, including canola, flax, seed grass, peas, lentils, wheat and various beans, such as pinto, mayocoba, black and Great Northern beans. They grow a mix of dryland and irrigated crops, with edible beans, seed canola, wheat, flax and seed grass grown under irrigation. They have also run a small-scale garlic operation for the past five years and are giving it another try this year. However, they admit the weather has not co-operated as hoped, and the crop has been a time-intensive effort because it must be harvested by hand. Until 2016, they also ran a cow-calf operation. 

The Reimers continually look for ways to enhance productivity on their farm, and one of the key ways they have done this is by embracing technology. Gerald and Kathy say they are grateful for their sons’ savviness in this area. “They farm beyond what I can do, and what I’m willing to do,” Gerald says with a chuckle. “I tell them, ‘You can learn it, and then tell us what to do.’” GPS hands-free technology was one of the first major game changers for the family. “My dad quit farming because it was too labour intensive to operate the equipment,” Gerald explains. “Initially, he was resistant to put it on his tractor, but once my son installed it, he was able to operate equipment again because it was easier.” 

The Reimers have also embraced new initiatives such as solar energy to supply power to their irrigation pivots, farm and farmhouses. Last harvest, they were also the first in the area to try using a Seed Destructor on the back of their combine. “The Seed Destructor breaks the seeds of crops and weeds to dust as it is discharged, so you don’t have the volunteer crops and weed growth,” Gerald and Kathy explain. “After four years, the goal is to be using a third less of the chemical we are now. We’re excited to see the comparison this year.” The Reimers also implement practices such as crop rotation and no-till farming on their dryland fields. 

The Reimers are deeply involved in their community of Burdett, serving in a variety of capacities. Brenton is a volunteer firefighter, while many family members have coached basketball and baseball, helped with parent council, assisted with the figure skating club and managed the ice arenas. The entire Reimer family is active in its congregation at Bow Island Evangelical Free Church, where family members have served as elders and trustees, and on various boards and committees. Brenton and Brad also provide the main technical support for livestreaming services. Gerald served two terms as county councillor from 2013 to 2021, and this past November, Tammy was elected to her first term. Karen and Cayley also work part-time as teachers in surrounding-area schools, in addition to all the support they provide on the farm. 

The Reimers feel blessed that they get to work with their family members every day and still get along. “Despite working together day in and day out, our kids still ask us to go on holidays together,” Kathy shares. “So, I count that as a win.”