Grip-Fast Farms was homesteaded by James Norman Robert Turnbull in 1883 on Treaty Two lands in what is now the municipality of Ellice-Archie in western Manitoba. James and his wife Cecilia cared for the land for several decades, eventually handing over the farm to their only son, Norman Leslie Turnbull in 1943. Norman and his wife Grace maintained the farm between managing the flour mill in Hamiota and sitting as an MLA in the Manitoba Legislature from 1936-1949. Norman was succeeded by his eldest child, Robert Orison Turnbull in 1967, who farmed with his wife Ivy until his death in 1983. Robert’s son Doug took over operations that year and has been farming ever since. Doug and his wife Carol continue to operate the farm to this day.
140th Anniversary in 2023!
Yes that's right - Grip-Fast Farms was established 140 years ago when my Great Grandfather, James Norman Robert Turnbull left Scotland and arrived in Canada in 1883 at the tender age of 17! He proceeded to hike out to the North West quarter of 36-18-28W (Railroad hadn't come through yet) and built himself a sod shack to spend the first winter in. The work started in earnest the next spring and has continued on for 5 generations to the point where we are at today.
