Home of the Ben Vale Highland Fold. Ben Vale was established in 2022 by Kevin and Vivian Bennett. We were both raised in southern Ontario and we raised our two children there.
After 60-plus years in southern Ontario, it was time for a move. Our kids asked us to consider moving within three hours of one of them. The west won, specifically the Bonnyville, Alberta area.
Our son and his wife began house hunting. They found us a 163-acre farm on the picturesque Beaver River between Cold Lake and Bonnyville. They took us on a video walkthrough and by 1 am Ontario time our offer was in and accepted. Later in the morning we realized what we did and thought we were out of our minds yet we were at peace.
On November 1, 2022 we officially became Albertans. Our first winter was spent outside in the sun, snow and cold fixing corrals. March 23, 2023, we purchased our first three Highlands from Norland Brae Farms, Kitra, Kace and Kinnis. Steve and Michelle are fantastic people to work with. They are very knowledgeable and helpful. Over the next year we purchased our bull Leathan from Norland Brae and five heifers from Valley Choice.
We have recently started to regenerate the land. Our plans are to create good healthy smaller pastures so we can rotate the grazing of our fold. Ideally we will have our hay fields and eight pastures. Seven pastures will be used in a grazing season and every year one pasture will rest. We love what God has provided for us and strive to be good caretakers of the land and our Highland Fold.