Bryan serves as President of Sunhaven, as well as each of the smaller farm groups.

The group also includes individuals and local businesses. Grain grown by group members goes to Venture Feedmill at Irma, which is run on a non-profit basis by Sunhaven. These four groups, in turn, make up the larger Sunhaven Farms. Each family operation maintains its independence while also belonging to one of four local groupings of farms that work together. They are all part of a unique organization called Sunhaven Farms, which is made up of approximately 150 farm families. includes land farmed by Bryan and Sharon, their children, Bryan’s brother Mark and family, Sharon’s brother-in-law Matt and family, and their close friend Ken Wasmuth. In the mid-1990’s, Bryan began developing an innovative and successful approach to farming that would have a positive effect on hundreds of family farms across Alberta. The family sold its fertilizer and chemical business in the mid-1980’s and focused on the pig and grain operation. He served as chairman of the Agricultural Diversification Alliance, vice president of the United Grain Growers, an early member and then president of the Western Hog Growers Association, director of United Oilseeds Products, board member of the Alberta Agricultural Research Institute and chairman of the board of Fletcher’s Fine Foods.Īs Bryan’s participation in the industry grew, so too did Perkins Farm. Bryan’s keen business sense, natural diplomacy and strong public speaking skills also made him a valuable asset to a number of industry organizations. He served with the Wainwright Credit Union, the Wainedge Gas Co-op, on the board of Grace United Church, as a trainer, coach and manager of local hockey and swimming teams and as an active volunteer for minor and amateur hockey organizations. In addition to running the farm, Bryan kept busy as a volunteer. Sharon taught school before turning her attention to raising their young family and helping out with their farming operation and fertilizer and chemical business. He began farming that year and married his wife, Sharon. He attended the University of Alberta where he earned a B.Sc. He enjoyed a typical rural upbringing, working the farm with parents Jack and Vern and siblings Susan and Mark, and taking part in scouting and local sports. From a farm rooted in history, he has helped foster a promising future for agriculture in the province.īryan was born on Jin Edmonton and raised on the family farm outside Wainwright. Their legacy continues in the remarkable energy, intelligence and innovation with which Bryan approaches his life’s work. They set in motion a tradition of farming and a commitment to pioneering that endures almost a century later in the heart and mind of their grandson, Bryan Perkins. Fred and Alice Perkins were pioneers who came to Alberta in 1908 in search of new opportunities for their family.

Sun haven trainer