Pallion Farms Fonds

Scope and Content: The Pallion Farms Fonds consists of a variety of materials relating to the farm of Pat and Geoff DeBoer in Barons, Alberta. The materials consist of an aerial photograph of the farm; various materials in book and loose-leaf form relating to the DeBoers’ interest in animal science, weed control, an…

History Biographical: Geoff and Pat DeBoer started farming in the Barons District in 1964, on a farm originally owned by Harry Snell. Pat and her first husband Ronald DeBoer purchased the farm from Harry Snell’s widow. When Ron died in a farming accident, Pat stayed on the farm, renting the land to Clarence DeBoer, Ron’s father. Two years later, Pat married Geoff DeBoer, Ron’s cousin. By the early 1970’s, they were becoming interested in the leading-edge issues of agriculture, which revolved primarily around farming’s transition from a “lifestyle” occupation to a business enterprise. Both Geoff and Pat were in the first class of a three-year “business of agriculture” course developed and taught by John Whitehead at Lethbridge Community College (LCC). The first two years of the program centred on education and training in business theory and practice. The final year of the program focused on projects, analysis of various scenarios, and planning. The LCC program evolved into a degree program offered at the University of Alberta. The DeBoer’s daughter graduated from the U. of A.’s program with a bachelor’s degree. [Source: Donor, as well as information from Wheat Heart of the West: a history of Barons and District. (1972). Barons: Barons History Book Club. pp. 228 - 229]

Acquisition Source: DeBoer, Pat 3006 29 Street South Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 6S7

Scope and Content: The Pallion Farms Fonds consists of a variety of materials relating to the farm of Pat and Geoff DeBoer in Barons, Alberta. The materials consist of an aerial photograph of the farm; various materials in book and loose-leaf form relating to the DeBoers’ interest in animal science, weed control, and the business of farming; several drawings and charts of the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District works; and meteorological information about Southern Alberta.

Notes: This is the second accession of material for the Pat and Geoff DeBoer Fonds. The fonds reference for the first accession is 20051041000.