Jim's Story

In 2007, Jim and Jo moved from a farm near Stafford, England and settled north of Kelliher, Saskatchewan to farm grain.

With seven children, ranging in age from 17 years to 15 weeks, they are busy, but loving their new life on Saskatchewan’s prairies.

Jim with three of his children

After a relative encouraged Jim and his wife Jo to “check out” Saskatchewan, they decided to do just that.  Though initially the idea of moving to a different continent seemed crazy, Jim and Jo soon realized it was a move full of potential.  “Because we are a 'blended' family, the idea of moving our oldest three children so far from their father was a bit complicated, but in the end it worked out for us,” says Jim.  

The first visit to Saskatchewan was an eye-opener for both Jim and Jo.  “We were pleasantly surprised by the huge amount of space here.  The farms we looked at were so open and uncluttered, it was a nice change from back home,” says Jim.  After a local realty company showed them several farms in the Yorkton area, Jim and Jo made an offer to purchase one of their favourites.  Then they applied to the farm owner/operator category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.

Just four months after applying through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, Jim and Jo’s application was approved.  Using a work permit, Jim began to set up the family farm, while his wife and kids waited in England for school to finish.  After undergoing medical exams, the entire family was in Saskatchewan as of July 2007.  Though they were all together in their new home, they still needed to get their permanent residence.  That Christmas, they got an extra special gift – on December 28^th they received permanent resident status.  “I haven’t been back to the U.K. since,” says Jim.  “I love it here and so does my wife.  It already feels like home for our whole family.”

Jim felt supported at all times by the staff at the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.  “I can’t begin to recall how many phone calls I made during our immigration process, but each time I had a ton of support from the staff there.  It really helped the process move along nicely.”

Jim and wife Jo

One might be challenged to find an immigrant family more pleased with their new home.  Jim and Jo are passionate about the community and province that they now call home.  “The people here are so friendly, the community is great, we even love the weather,” says Jim, who also says his family has adjusted quickly.  “My kids love it here, even the older ones are really settling in nicely.  They plan on staying here after high school graduation.”  For Jim and Jo’s family, the quality of life in Saskatchewan is unmatched elsewhere.  “We couldn’t have afforded this much land back home, the opportunities here are just incredible.”  

Jim looks back on his immigration process with mixed feelings.  “Because of our unique family situation, it wasn’t always easy – but it was well worth the work and wait.”