Beyond the Farm Gate: The Story of a Farm Boy Who Helped Make the Wheat Pool a World-Class Business by E. K. (Ted) Turner (review)

Beyond the Farm Gate is an autobiography by E. K. (Ted) Turner, with a focus on the history of farming and the development of farm organizations on the Canadian Prairies. The book’s 15 chapters are preceded by an excellent introduction that inspires one to read to the end. The first three chapters describe the personal and social struggles facing new immigrants upon establishing family farms in the province of Saskatchewan. The bold decision to come to Canada, the challenges in the new country, the dedication to overcome hardships, culminating in triumphs and the establishment of homesteads—all are legendary and represent thousands of settlers in this part of the world at the turn of 20th century. The early part of the 20th century was also notable for the strong cooperation and community-building on the Prairies, related to agrarian political actions on grain trade. These cooperative movements resulted in the creation of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool.

Chapters 4, 5, and 6 provide a very personal account of the workings of the world’s largest grain cooperative and constitute a very important narrative in democracy and political processes. Turner’s involvement in the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool started with his becoming a delegate in 1957, continued as elected director in 1960, and culminated in his being president from 1969 to 1987. The most interesting part of the book is Turner’s account of the functioning and rapid evolution of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool from a farmer’s cooperative to a complex business enterprise that strove to maintain members’ involvement and interest in the organization. Turner describes the pre–World War II farming community on the Prairies as homogenous, with consensus achieved on important policies. Toward the end of the 20th century, the farming community became more heterogeneous and diversified, making it difficult to reach agreement on any major policy.

Chapters 7 through 15 give a personal perspective on issues confronting Canadian and global grain producers when dealing with production, marketing, and global trade. As Saskatchewan Wheat Pool president, Turner actively supported upgrades of the Canadian Wheat Board, a uniquely Canadian establishment. He also represented Canadian farmer interests on several government and international trade committees and commissions. The book provides a very detailed picture of the concerns and issues raised by farmers on the Prairies, and the interpretations—and resolutions—of these concerns by cooperatives and provincial and federal governments.

This book will greatly interest a diverse group of readers because it provides a unique account of the settlement and beginning of agriculture on the Canadian Prairies. The superb work ethic and endurance displayed by the first settlers made the Canadian Prairies a major agricultural producer whose products are traded around the world. The book’s uniqueness is its intersection of biography with history, specifically the rise of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, created as a farmer cooperative and evolving into a very diverse commercial enterprise. Further illustrating the complexity of the agricultural industry is the author’s account of member meetings and discussions within the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Board, government committees, and international organizations.