Going For The Gold

Four Generations of Farming Black Gold Farms & Black Gold Drilling | Northern Sunrise County, AB

Roberta, Clarence & Brendan Hawryluk

A multigenerational endeavour, Black Gold Farms has a rich family history with local roots that stretch back nearly a century.

The Hawryluk family immigrated to Canada from Ukraine back in 1929. Harry, the pioneering patriarch, was granted a homestead for $10 near the Little Prairie Church in Harmon Valley where he moved his wife, two daughters and son. Two more daughters were later born into the family.

As the only son, Steve Hawryluk would carry on the farm. Steve and his wife Thelma had two sons, Clarence and Keith, and a daughter, Bonnie. However, in the ‘70s the farmland was split up and sold.

Clarence was interested in starting his own farm, but he also wanted to join Alberta’s booming oil and gas industry. In 1979, he purchased a water truck to get started. In 1981, he bought a seismic drill. And, during that same year, Clarence was able to start his farm, aptly naming it Black Gold Farms.

In the years following, Clarence met and married Roberta. Today, they have five children—Terry, Kristy, Derek, Bond and Brendan.

“After Clarence learned the ropes, he bought another rig, and we just kept blooming from there,” said Roberta, who joined the company in the late 1980s.

At the time of their marriage, one thing clear: Clarence was going to get the original homestead back in the family. Recently, this important goal was accomplished.

“This year marks the first crop we’ve put on the original homestead in the Hawryluk name,” said Roberta. “Our new goal is to keep the land in the family forever.”

The year 2029 will mark 100 years in Harmon Valley for the Hawryluk family.

“I’m rooted here,” said Clarence. “I think it’s a great place to live with lots of opportunity and things to do.”

Inspired by canola seed and oil, the company’s name reflects both their agricultural and oilfield ties, and although they still use “drilling” in the company name, they have not done seismic drilling since the oilfield crash in 2015.

Clarence, Roberta & Brendan Hawryluk

“We currently do oilfield work—mostly east of our farm—such as water hauling, oilfield towing, equipment hauling and delivery, snow plowing and snow making,” said Roberta. “We also work with forestry during the high fire season. We have a list of equipment—Hägglunds, water trucks, trac water carriers, heavy haul trucks, excavators and cat dozers.”

Their company employs five or six year-round employees and approximately 15–20 seasonal employees. Now with approximately 8,500 acres, the farm has grown substantially since the early days.

“Ever since canola became a big crop in Alberta, we are probably about half canola and half other grains,” said Roberta.

While Roberta is in the office, Clarence, Bond and Brendan are very hands on with the farm. With a diverse business, the Hawryluks keep busy.

“The oilfield industry has treated me very well over the years. I’m always thankful for that,” said Clarence. “We run nice equipment, hire good men and do a good job.”

The Hawryluks push to keep up with changes in farming practices and emerging trends.

“You’re always evolving with the new research and technology that comes out; if you don’t, you will get left behind,” said Clarence.

The farming and forestry parts of the farm are directly connected to the weather, while the rigs drill whether it is wet or dry.

“In all honesty, you can say what you want, but the climate is changing,” said Clarence. “With farming, if you get a rain at the right time, a poor farmer can become a good farmer. It is so weather related.”

During spring, seeding is in full swing, and by summer the crops are growing, so there are fewer hands on the farm. But, they stay busy.

“Right now, we have up to eight units for forestry; you never know when the fires are going to happen,” said Clarence. “County work is reliable and includes anything from snowplowing to hauling gravel and mulching roadsides.”

Fall is time for harvest, and the winter is oilfield focused.

“We no sooner get done harvest and are scrambling to find equipment drivers,” said Roberta.

The Hawryluks have a team full of people on the go. They enjoy all the diverse tasks the farm requires. Challenges and learning new skills are all part of the job.

“All of the employees we have on the farm say they love it,” said Roberta. “Everyday is different, and you don’t always know what you will be doing.”

Thankfully, community goes hand-in-hand with the farming industry.

“You all look out for each other,” said Roberta. “We had a combine fire three years ago, and local farmers showed up to help.”

When the Hawryluk family had their grain dryer burn down last year, another local farmer called and offered the use of theirs.

“If it wasn’t for them stepping up to help us, I don’t know how we would have dried our grain,” said Roberta. “It would have spoiled and been a total loss.”

The Hawryluk family tries to shop local and support local businesses when they can because they recognize the importance of keeping the local shops open.

“Without them we would be travelling much farther for everything,” said Roberta.

What makes Black Gold Farms run smoothly? Meeting in the middle. Roberta knows the office side of things and Clarence knows the hands-on farming and drilling aspects.

“We used to butt heads because I would stick my nose in the farming industry, and he would stick his nose in my office and all the paperwork,” said Roberta. “We came to an agreement that I don’t meddle in what happens on his part of the farm, and he doesn’t meddle in what happens in my office.”

In their limited downtime, Roberta and Clarence take a moment to enjoy the area and spend time with family.

“I love being able to just hop on my quad, grab the dog and go explore,” said Clarence.

By Siobhan Kennedy | Photography by Tyrell Parenteau