On either February 26th or 27th of 1919, the Alberta Dairymen’s Association was formed.
The Markerville Creamery, which had been operating since 1902, was a significant player in the dairy industry, and Dan Morkeberg was responsible for its success.
“Recognizing that an association, composed of all interests working together, could accomplish much towards the advancement of an industry well adapted to Alberta, steps were taken at a meeting of creamery operators, held in St. Luke’s Hall, Red Deer, September 9, 1918, to form an association. This meeting had been called by the Department of Agriculture, to consider the market situation and the problems facing creamerymen at that time. On the motion of W. W. Prevey, seconded by P. Pallesen, a committee was appointed to draw up a constitution and by-laws for the proposed association and to report at a future meeting. This committee was composed of the following: W. W. Prevey, E. G. Archibald, P. Pallesen, C. P. Marker, and E. T. Love, Secretary. The committee held several meetings. Its report was submitted to, and approved by, the Provincial Dairy Convention held at the Palliser Hotel, Calgary, February 26 and 27, 1919. The membership list was opened, and the first general meeting of the Association was held at the concluding session of the Convention. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Dr. T. E. Hays, Carstairs; D. Morkeberg, M.L.A., Markerville; E. T. Love, Edmonton; G. E. Cahoon, Cardston; J. W. Carlyle, Calgary; P. Pallesen, Calgary, and W. W. Prevey, Edmonton. At the Directors’ Meeting held immediately after, D. Morkeberg was elected President and E. T. Love Secretary-Treasurer of the Association.”
(from The Alberta Dairymen’s Association: Coming of age, 1940 (Looking Backward and Forward), p. 7.) Posted onStephansson House Provincial Historic Site Facebook Page