Rural high school sweethearts Jesse and Clayton Williams married in 2011 and lived in Calgary to obtain their education: Jesse, an Agronomist and Clay a Petroleum Engineer. The pair settled on an acreage near Strathmore and commuted to downtown Calgary to work in their specialties. Jesse grew up on a ranch outside of Brooks, while Clay’s family has proudly graced the Hanna, Cessford & Craigmyle areas for generations. Jesse’s strong passion for agriculture stems from her grandparents’ purebred cattle operation; Clay’s from being raised on the family farm that he knew he would one day return to. Jesse, a long time 4-H member, gained a healthy respect for cattle and a hunger to be a positive advocate for the agriculture industry and ranching way of life.The Williamses relocated to the Bullpound flat, south of Clay’s hometown of Hanna in 2014 and are excited to expand their commercial cow herd of red Angus X Simmentals through their operation – Whiskey Creek Ranches. Jesse is delighted to have found a job working out of Oyen as an Agronomist for the rural-oriented Chinook Applied Research Association, while Clay commutes back and forth to Fort Mac.
A couple aspects of country living the couple appreciates even more since returning? “We sure are happy not to have to wake up at 5 AM just to fight traffic everyday! We notice the little things, for example, we don’t have to make reservations or pay for parking. We really missed the people, the fresh air and small town charm.”
A word of advice for those interested in returning to rural: “Just do it! You won’t regret it”
