b"SEED GROWERGeneration by Generation Growing the Family FarmEach generation of the Hoff family has added something to Livingspring Farms to help it expand and grow for the future.WHEN PETER HOFFtook over his familys farm, Livingspring Farms, he knew he wanted to put his own mark on the farm and add a specialization. While attending Olds College in 1987 he took a class on pedigreed seed production which piqued his interest.In the early 90s there was just a proliferation of new varieties and just a real good opportunity to start to get into the pedigreed seed system, he says in a phone interview.His grandfather, Carl Hoff, was uncertain about the getting into the pedigreed seed business. He had started the farm in Gleichen, Alta. in the 1920s after immigrating to Canada from Germany. Carl ran the farm for many years before handing the reins over to his son, Ed Hoff, who took over in the 1960s. Ed focused on expanding the technology on the farm and introducing modern machinery.My dad actually was quite open to (seed growing). He gave me the opportunity to try some new things and went along with it, Peter says.The gamble paid off and over three decades later the Hoffs are established seed growers in the province. They run a 2,300-acre operation with most acres cultivated and one section under irrigation. The Hoffs grow spring wheat, barley, flax, peas, and faba beans for seed, as well as commercial canola. With Peter running the farm for decades now, the next generation is starting to take over. Peters son Bergen has been working on the farm and taking on more duties. Hes also starting to make his own mark on the business and is looking into starting a small cow, calf operation. My son, whos kind of a big part of the farm now, he's just that age where he's starting to do his own thing a little bit. He's(L-R) Bergen, Peter and Cynthia stand in front of the Livingspring Farms sign in exploring regenerative agriculture and wants to introduce livestockGleichen, Alta.PHOTO: LIVINGSPRING FARMSto our farm, which we havent had for many years, Peter adds.Bergens interest in regen ag stems from summers spent workingTo start on his regen ag journey, Bergen purchased a cow and two at his cousin Eric Nottveits ranch on Peonan Point in the Manitobacalves and also ran some of his neighbours cattle on Livingspring Interlake region. Bergen enjoyed working with their livestock, soFarms during the summer of 2023. His hope is to expand his Nottveit recommended he read the book Dirt to Soil by Gabeherd to 10 cows, but high cattle prices are holding him back from Brown, which fed his interested in using regen ag on his own farm. increasing his herd too fast. We shouldnt be trying to just maintain the value of the land weIts a new game to me and I'm still learning a lot. Its hard to have or maybe let it go backwards. Instead of sitting here watchingknow if I should step into the market or not, he says. I have lots of it stay the same or go backwards, let's actually be proactive and tryreally good, educated neighbours and friends though I lean on to make it better, Bergen explains in a phone interview. those people a lot for advice.44seed.ab.ca"