A Manitou-area farm has been recognized by the Pembina Valley Watershed District for its commitment to conservation, sustainability and responsible water stewardship.
At its annual meeting in La Riviere March 20, the district presented the 2026 Conservation Award to Dale Seymour and sons Chris and Brett of Seymour Farms for their outstanding work as stewards of their land.
Seymour Farms philosophy of “healthy land provides healthy food” is an encouragement to all who work toward building and maintaining a healthy watershed.
“We’re honoured to receive the recognition,” said Chris Seymour. “We’ve been doing a lot of interesting things on the farm, and it’s been working out well for us, and it also fits in well with what the conservation principles would be as well.”
Angela and Dale Seymour took over the farming operation originally established by their parents in the 1960s. What began as a traditional family farm has grown into a diversified, forward-thinking agricultural operation rooted in long-term land stewardship.
Over the years, the farm has expanded significantly in both acreage and scope, incorporating cattle, chickens, and hog production alongside crop operations.
When their sons joined the business, they brought renewed energy and a strong focus on sustainable management practices that continue to shape the farm’s direction today.
At the heart of Seymour Farms’ philosophy is the simple but powerful belief that healthy land provides healthy food for their own families and for the consumers they serve. Every management decision is made with long-term soil health, environmental protection, and water conservation in mind.
To protect soil structure and reduce erosion, Seymour Farms eliminated conventional tillage practices, transitioning to a no-till system. This approach minimizes soil disturbance, improves water infiltration and reduces surface runoff, helping to protect nearby waterways within the watershed.
The farm has also adopted intercropping and cover cropping systems to improve soil resilience. These practices enhance biodiversity both above and below ground, improve nutrient cycling, reduce erosion risk and increase organic matter. Cover crops help retain moisture, prevent nutrient loss and provide continuous ground cover—all of which support improved water stewardship across the landscape.
Strategic cattle management has been another key conservation tool. Managed grazing practices allow livestock to play a regenerative role in soil health, stimulating root growth, increasing organic matter and improving soil structure. Proper rotation and pasture management reduce compaction and runoff while strengthening the land’s natural ability to retain water.
Tree planting initiatives have further enhanced environmental benefits on the farm. The addition of shelterbelts and tree corridors helps reduce wind erosion, capture carbon, improve wildlife habitat and stabilize soils, contributing to long-term watershed protection.
Through improved soil testing and precision nutrient management, Seymour Farms has also achieved a significant reduction in fertilizer use. By applying nutrients more efficiently and relying on natural soil-building processes, the farm reduces the risk of nutrient runoff into surrounding waterways while maintaining strong productivity.
Together, these conservation efforts reflect a multi-generational commitment to farming in a way that protects the land and water for the future.
Chris Seymour observed that their goal has perhaps not been specifically with conservation in mind, but it has been the right thing to do for the success of their operation.
“The principles with our mixed farm and the principles that work well for profitability are the same thing as what is good for the eco-system,” he said. “We’re trying to work in partnership with nature rather than fighting with Mother Nature.”
It can all be done not at the cost of profitability, he emphasized.
“Sustainability doesn’t happen without profitability,” said Seymour. “What a lot of farmers fail to realize is if you work with nature, it’s a lot more efficient than trying to work against nature.”
