Prairie Skyscrapers

The Backbone of Farming in the North

For well over a century, local farmers have hauled their crops—canola, wheat, barley, oats, peas—to grain elevators where they are shipped by train or truck to far away markets. It’s where the exchange of goods occurs, and it’s a big part of how many farmers get paid.

“Grain elevators, or terminals, are the fabric of our rural communities,” said Carolyn Kolebaba, a retired Northern Sunrise County farmer and the chair of the Peace Region Economic Development Alliance (PREDA). “They are a constant reminder the Peace Country was built on agriculture, which remains one of our most important economic drivers.”

In 2017, farmers in Northwest Alberta harvested almost 3 million acres of crops and produced over 3.3 million metric tonnes (7.3 billion pounds) of grain.

For reference, picture 17,368 blue whales—the heaviest animal on Earth. Imagine how much space they would take up, and how much all of them weigh. Now, you have a better idea of the gravity of the situation.

Most of this massive volume and weight is passed through local elevators before being sent off by rail or truck to buyers in Canada and around the world. The contribution our farmers make is inconceivable, which is perhaps why it’s often understated—or simply not understood.

Our Region

Move Up Magazine serves the Peace and Mackenzie regions, about 22% of Alberta. These borders extend from Rycroft and Nampa all the way to NWT. When it comes to agriculture, this is among the most northern farming regions in North America.

Together, the Peace and Mackenzie regions are a small portion of Canada’s farmland, but this area produces a large share of the country’s grain. Our long summer days, rich soil and hardworking people have earned us a strong reputation.

“There are countless studies on the potency of Peace Country agriculture,” said PREDA Executive Director Dan Dibbelt. “Our crops are pure, our honey is the best, our oats are heavier, and it goes on. Though our populations are dwindling, our production numbers are growing, and the producers’ commitment to growing the best crops carries on.”

Grain Elevators: A Brief History

In the early 1900s, grain elevators were going up everywhere. By the 1930s, more than 5,000 were scattered across the prairies. Each tall wooden structure was placed about every 15km—close enough for farmers to reach by horse and wagon and still get back home before dark. These structures were the heart of many small towns and villages.

More than infrastructure, they have been a meeting place—a spot to catch up with neighbours, compare prices and share stories. For many communities, the elevator stood taller than the church steeple or the school flagpole. It meant business was being done. It meant the harvest was in.

“Having an elevator in your community served as a pillar of recognition and hope. It symbolized industry and dedication from local farmers,” said Nick Van Rootselaar, a retired farmer and MD of Spirit River Deputy Reeve. “Elevators were the town centre of rural Alberta. It’s where you met your friends. It’s where you worked, and it’s where you called home.”

How Farming Changed

Grain companies began shutting down older wooden elevators in favour of larger, modern facilities. The new “high-throughput” elevators hold more grain and load dozens of railcars at a time. They are more efficient, but it is no longer cost effective to build them 15km apart.

In Northwest Alberta, this shift was especially challenging. Some farmers have had to drive up to 100km or more—just to deliver a load.

Many agree that centralizing grain elevators helps with shipping big volumes, but it puts more pressure on too many farmers. Fuel costs, wear and tear on trucks and lost time all add up. For smaller producers, the cost of getting their grain to market can be one of their biggest expenses, which can take a big bite out of profits.

And, the impact does not stop at the farm gate. With fewer elevators in operation, trucks now travel longer distances on rural roads, which adds stress to municipal infrastructure.

Our local governments spend more to keep roads safe and usable—often without extra financial support. It’s another piece of the puzzle that shows how tightly connected farming is to every part of rural life.

Grain Elevators: The Next Generation

Today, there are only three high-throughput grain elevators in the Move Up Magazine coverage area that can handle over 100 railcars at a time. They are located near the towns of Rycroft, High Level and Grimshaw.

Communities with large elevators are particularly busy places during harvest. The largest in our area is the G3 Rycroft elevator. It opened in August of 2023, and it now handles more than 45% of the grain exports from the immediate region.

Grain elevators still play a vital role in moving crops out of the Peace Region.

In 2017/2018, in Northwestern Alberta, farmers produced over 3.3 million metric tonnes of grain. Of that, 94% of canola and 88% of wheat was delivered through local elevators.

Much of Alberta’s grain is shipped to countries like China, Japan, Indonesia and the United States.

Some crops now follow a different path. Oats, for example, are often sold directly to buyers—especially when selling to markets like horse farms in the United States—so these oats never pass through an elevator. This type of sale offers flexibility but also depends on solid buyer relationships and transportation logistics.

A Living Legacy

Despite these changes, many feel a strong connection to the old wooden grain elevators, especially those that still stand. They are part of local identity, a sign that even in tough times our farmers found a way to keep going.

“That’s why in some small towns old elevators are being saved rather than torn down. A few have been turned into museums, event venues or storage facilities,” said Dibbelt. “Even if they’re no longer in use, people still want them to stand as a reminder of our ancestors who broke this land.”

In the ‘80s, Kurt Hansen from Peace River started taking pictures of the old elevators.

“I’ve travelled between Peace River and Dawson Creek for many years. I started taking pictures of them because they were being torn down and disappearing,” said Hansen. “Then, when I finally started painting back in ‘92, elevators were a prime subject because I had photos to reference.”

People started giving Hansen their pictures of elevators for him to use, and he has now completed upwards of 20 paintings. They are oil paint on 16” x 20” stretched canvas. Some are currently on display and for sale at the Peace River Art Hub.

Hansen says his paintings get a lot of different reactions from people because they bring back memories.

“Elevators were prominent in each town. You could see it from wherever you were,” said Hansen. “My dad was a carpenter and was hired to help refurbished the elevator in Dawson Creek in the ‘80s when they turned it into an art gallery. I’ve since donated some of my paintings for their auctions.”

Grain elevators remind us how this region was built. They silently tell stories of homesteaders and farmers, of bumper crops, dry years and long days hauling loads down dusty gravel roads.

Time, however, marches onward. New elevators may be bigger, sleeker and more high-tech, but they still carry the same job—they help move our farmers’ grain to the rest of the world. Whether made of wood or concrete, whether they serve only a few farms or hundreds, they continue to be a vital part of the agricultural chain.

“Elevators no longer dot the horizon every 10 miles along the rail lines,” said Dibbelt. “Now they tend to form in clusters with massive capacity to service a 100-mile radius. But, one thing hasn’t changed for farmers and residents in our agricultural communities—this is our home.”

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By Amanda Hunter | Photography by Paul Lavoie Images, Ingrid Brunkhorst Herrell & Submitted Painting by Kurt Hansen