Seager Wheeler's Maple Grove Farm is a National Historic Site of Canada. Seager Wheeler's Maple Grove Farm was a farm owned and operated by agronomist Seager Wheeler (1868–1961) "Wheat King of the Prairies" or "The Wheat Wizard of Rosthern" who developed dry land farming techniques as well as fruit and wheat strains which could grow in a short prairie growing season followed by harsh winters.[1] Seager came to Canada in 1885 and applied for his own homestead in 1890. His original homestead was located at NE Section 16 Township 38 Range 4 West of the 3rd Meridian, and he was aided by a loan from the Temperance Colonization Society Limited - Toronto[2][3] Whereas the nearest present day town of Rosthern, Saskatchewan[4] is located at Sec.35, Twp.42, R.3, W3. To get to the restored Seager Wheeler Maple Grove 185-acre (0.75 km2) Farm travel 7 km east of Rosthern. Five separate entries of wheat which were grown at this farm location during 1911 to 1918 won World Wheat Championships. Morris Bodnar, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon—Dundurn, commemorated Seager Wheeler's Maple Grove Farm as a National Historic Site of Canada on August 3, 1996[5] The site is honoured as the location where hardy wheat and fruit strains were developed which were well suited to the prairie climate and growing season.
| Seager Wheeler's Maple Grove Farm | |
|---|---|
 Barn and seed cleaning plant | |
| Location | Rosthern No. 403, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Founded | 1898 |
| Built | 1898 to 1928 |
| Website | www |
| Designated | 1994 |
History
edit
Seager Wheeler developed many dryland farming techniques, invented equipment as well as winning numerous awards for developing wheat strains and fruits which would grow in the short prairie season, seeds which would survive over winter and many other practises which helped develop a sustainable agricultural economy in Saskatchewan.
Seager Wheeler's brother, Percy Wheeler, also homesteaded in the area successfully proving his land at SW section 2 Township 43 (A) Range 2 W of the 3rd Meridian in 1884.[6] Seager and Percy jointly developed the three point seed cleaning system which present day farmers still use.[7]
The Seager Wheeler Historic Farm Society purchased the farm and opened it up in 1996. The farming techniques, implements, and pursuit of prairie wheats and fruits by Seager Wheeler, are presented on the restored homestead by the Seager Wheeler Historic Farm Society. Sheila Copps, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage, presented the 1996 Parks Canada Award to the Seager Wheeler Historic Farm Society.[8]
Writings
edit"Profitable Grain Growing" published by Grain Growers' Guide in 1919 by Seager Wheeler.[9]
Nearby
edit- Batoche National Historic Site
- Valley - Rosthern Regional Park
- Wheat Stalks (Statue) Rosthern Roadside Attraction[10]
External links
edit- National Parks and National Historic Sites of Canada in Saskatchewan
- Farmers of Saskatchewan • Saskatchewan's Environmental Champions
- Attractions & Events Fact Sheet
- News Releases/June 1996/SEAGER WHEELER HISTORIC FARM ATTRACTION OPENS
- Wheeler, Seager
- Seager Wheeler Lake Representative Area -- Concept Management Plan --
References
edit- ^ "Virtual Saskatchewan - Wizard o' Wheat". 1997–2007. Retrieved 2007-05-01.
- ^ SK Archives Board, Pioneer, EDS, SK Genealogical Society, ISC, ISM, SIAST, Metis National Council, SK Heritage Foundation. "SHIP Search Results". Retrieved 2007-05-01.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Library and Archives Canada. "Western Land Grants (1870-1930) - ArchiviaNet - Library and Archives Canada". Archived from the original on October 7, 2006.
- ^ Library and Archives Canada (2007-02-12). "Item Display - Post Offices and Postmasters - ArchiviaNet - Library and Archives Canada". Retrieved 2007-05-01.
- ^ Trevor Ashfield, Canadian Heritage. "Seager Wheeler's Maple Grove Farm Commemorated as a National ..." Retrieved 2007-05-01.
- ^ "Associated Image(s) - Western Land Grants (1870-1930) - Library and Archives Canada". Archivia Net. Government of Canada. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
- ^ Polachic, Darlene (July 6, 2008). "Canadian Agricultural Legend Seager Wheeler's legacy alive on original homestead". The Saskatoon Sun. p. 3.
- ^ Julia Arnsby, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage (1996-10-07). "Copps Presents 1996 Parks Canada Awards". Retrieved 2007-05-01.
- ^ "Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame". Salute to Saskatchewan Farm Leaders. 2006. Retrieved 2007-05-01.
- ^ "All the Roadside Attractions in Canada". Retrieved 2007-05-01.
