WYNYARD, Sask. — As wet conditions continue to delay harvest across parts of east-central Saskatchewan, a surprise call from GX94 provided a welcome boost for Harold and Bev Leshchyshyn of Wynyard.
The couple was named the fourth weekly winner of the GX94 Supper in the Field contest, receiving a catered meal and prize package during a difficult harvest season.
Harold Leshchyshyn said farming was never part of a carefully laid plan. He took over the family operation after his father passed away in 1992.
Today, the family farms about 1,400 acres of wheat, canola and feed corn while maintaining a herd of roughly 90 cows. Leshchyshyn credited much of the farm's success to family support.
Despite the challenges that come with farming, he said the family remains grateful for the life they have built on the farm.
“We're a little family farm,” he said. “We're very proud.”
The couple's three children remain close and continue to help one another, while five grandchildren provide motivation during difficult times.
“In this kind of tough harvest, a person gets down in the dumps,” Leshchyshyn said. “I'll look at the little videos of our kids and grandkids and that kind of spurs us going again.”
Their son Landen is expected to eventually take over the farm, although Harold acknowledged the challenges young producers face when trying to expand.
“The young guys just don't have a chance,” he said, noting that rising land prices and competition from larger operations can make it difficult for beginning farmers to purchase land.
The family has also faced challenges with its cattle operation. A few years ago, Harold and Bev were injured by a protective cow, an experience that left a lasting impression and prompted discussions about eventually reducing the herd.
“It was the toughest thing ever I had to watch,” he said.
Although Bev escaped with only minor injuries, the incident changed the way they think about balancing farm work with family life.
Like many producers this fall, the Leshchyshyns are dealing with difficult harvest conditions. Harold said they finished swathing their canola this week but continue to wrestle with muddy fields.
He said saturated fields have resulted in equipment becoming stuck repeatedly as farmers try to make progress. Despite the setbacks, he remains hopeful a stretch of dry weather will allow producers to resume harvest.
“This is bad, but if you've got a drought, you've got nothing,” he said. “At least we've got something.”
Both Harold and Bev submitted entries for the contest, although the couple jokingly debated whose entry actually won.
“He entered on his phone and then last night I entered on mine,” Bev said. “I'm assuming it was mine because you're the one that called my phone.”
The couple said they had been entering the contest for several years and were surprised to receive the winning call. Both expressed appreciation for the meal, prizes and support provided by GX94 and its sponsors.
“Unbelievable,” Harold said. “We're so thankful for GX94, the food, the prizes and everybody involved. We can't say enough thank-you.”
While harvest remains largely on hold for now, Leshchyshyn said spending time with family helps keep the challenges of farming in perspective.
“Life is short,” he said. “We want to enjoy our grandkids while they're young.”
The contest win gave the family an opportunity to pause, enjoy time together and celebrate amid the uncertainties of another Saskatchewan harvest.
