Gschaids honoured as 2026 BMO Farm Family for Lethbridge County

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BMO

In 1924, George Gschaid left Bavaria, Germany, bound for the wide-open prairies of southern Alberta. Like many immigrants of his time, George arrived with little more than determination and a willingness to work hard. Settling near Lethbridge, he joined his uncle Frank Neidermier, working on the family farm and soon purchased land of his own nearby—planting the roots of what would become a five-generation ranching legacy enriched with deep respect for the land and cattle. The Gschaid family is the 2026 BMO Farm Family from Lethbridge County. 

George’s vision extended beyond the land. He sent word back to Germany for Anna Geirl to join him in Canada, along with his young son, Louie. Shortly after their arrival, George and Anna were married in December 1926. Together, they raised five children—Louie, Elsie, Doreen, Ron, and Bob—in a small one-room home in Lethbridge County. Life was simple but full. In 1943, the family moved across the road into a two-room shack, and by 1948, they built the house that still stands on the home quarter today, a lasting symbol of their hard work. 

The early years of the farm involved lots of hard work, which consisted of milking cows, feeding pigs, raising chickens, growing sugar beets, haying with a scythe and using a horse-drawn wagon. George passed away at age 67, leaving the farming operations in the capable hands of his sons Ron and Bob. Bob eventually purchased his own place and pursued a career off the farm, returning to help whenever he could and still does to this day. 

Ron remained on the homestead and continued to farm and raise cattle; he also worked as a brand inspector off the ranch. During this time, Ron married Angie and together they had a son Rod and a daughter Jen, who sadly passed away in 2023. Ron and Rod had a very special bond, one that was rooted in the ranching way of life. At a young age, Rod began taking on daily chores. “When I got off the school bus at 12 years old, I would get started on the chores,” recalls Rod. “I would try to do anything to help my dad – as it was just the two of us then, and he worked late. It was from this early age that my dad instilled in me a deep love and respect for horses and cattle.” 

Later, they both found their partners through their agricultural connections – Ron married Kathy in 2004, and Rod married Bobbie Geo in 2011. Rod and Bobbie Geo now have three sons they are raising on the original homestead – Rylan, Rustin and Rigdon. Sadly, Ron passed away in March 2025. “He left behind a powerful legacy – one defined by cattle, community and family – now carried forward by my sons and I,” reflects Rod. “It is really special to have three generations of family, including extended family and in-laws, still working together.” 

Over the years that father and son worked together on the ranch, it has evolved into a predominantly cattle-focused operation – doubling the number of cattle they had from previous generations. “I don’t mind grain farming, but I don’t like sitting in a tractor,” chuckles Rod when explaining the evolution. Today, Bar 7F Ranch consists of over 100 head of Hereford-Angus Cross cattle, replacement heifers and grassland. Rod and Bobbie Geo privately sell their home-raised beef and are proud to be part of the Verified Beef Plus Program. They have a strong belief in caring for their cattle with the best and most natural practices possible. They also value the continuity of multi-generations of cattle breeding – using the old genetics and carefully selecting the bulls to produce the nice head, smooth shoulders and thick wide back end in their off-spring. “I have cows that go all the way back to my original heifer from when I was 8 years old,” shares Rod. In addition, they value the practices of a traditional ranch life and continue to pass this on to their sons. 

The Gschaids have extensive history volunteering with a variety of community programs. Ron was very involved with the Lethbridge-Coaldale 4-H Club and served on the Lethbridge Exhibition Board & Rodeo Committee. Rod was proud to volunteer alongside his father at the Lethbridge Professional Rodeo for more than 20 years. Today, Rod finds himself busy helping with the school, extracurricular programs and activities that his boys are involved in, including helping coach his son’s hockey team. Rod is currently serving his fourth year on the board of directors for MLA Grant Hunter. 

The BMO Farm Family Award is bittersweet for the Gschaid family and Bar 7F Ranch. While they wish Ron could be here to celebrate and receive this award alongside them, they’re also very optimistic about what’s ahead and the potential of their legacy to continue for generations to come.