The Nolan homestead, Rockyford Farms, is settled in Iron Springs, AB in the valley of the Old Man River just East of Picture Butte.
Our Story
1902
1938-60
Ron Nolan Sr., father of Greg Nolan, grows up on a mixed farm in Southern Alberta. Today that farm is owned by Ron’s nephew Larry Nolan who operates a large feed lot and farming operation.
1967
Bar 5 Farms is established in Manitoba to import Simmental cattle from Europe.
1973
The Nolan family moves to Ontario and purchases the “Harkaway” farm in Markdale, ON.
2002
Bar 5 amalgamates all farms to Markdale, ON and expands the Angus and Simmental herds to over 400 cows.
2003
Certified Ontario Beef Ltd. (COB) is founded to be the selling arm of Bar 5 Farms.
2004
Top Meadow Farms (TMF) Certified Artisan Beef program is approved by CFIA for “Raised without Antibiotics” (RWA) beef label claims.
2008
Wagyu herds are introduced into the farming activities.
2010
Artisan Foods Limited (AFL) is formed, amalgamating COB and TMF with its purchase of Kerr Farms Ontario Angus Beef.
2014
Artisan Foods limited opens Artisan Beef Farms to operate the cattle division for the Artisan Group supply chain, domiciled in Markdale, Ontario.
