Accessibility Tools

Blog

Success Story: Waverley Ranch — Building a Life Rooted in Purpose

Success Story: Waverley Ranch — Building a Life Rooted in Purpose

For Evan Wile, Waverley Ranch represents more than a business — it’s a fresh start and a way of life grounded in family, hard work, and stewardship of the land.

Located on 64 acres outside of Drumheller, Waverley Ranch is a diversified hobby farm raising chickens for eggs and meat, turkeys, and alpacas for fibre, while also grazing cattle and producing hay. Each element of the operation reflects Evan’s commitment to building something sustainable and meaningful in rural Alberta.

Through the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP), delivered by Community Futures, Evan was able to take a closer look at how his operation was functioning — and where it could grow.

Turning Passion into a Stronger Plan

With support from EDP Coach Diane Bereth, Evan worked through both the practical and financial aspects of the business.

“It helped rationalize our plans and work through the financials of our current lines of business to see what was working and what wasn’t.”

This process brought clarity to the day‑to‑day realities of running a multi‑stream farm business. By analyzing time and financial returns, Evan was able to better understand which activities were creating the most value.

“It showed us where we were getting the best return for our time and money.”

The result was a more focused and informed approach — one that supports both the sustainability of the ranch and the long‑term goals of his family.

Support That Fits Rural Entrepreneurs

Evan’s experience also highlights the importance of accessible, flexible support for rural entrepreneurs managing both business demands and personal circumstances.

He found the coaching process easy to access, with sessions scheduled at convenient times and structured in a way that made it easy to stay focused and engaged.

Strong support from Lindsay Desrosiers at Community Futures Wildrose helped ensure a smooth and welcoming experience from the start. Evan rated both the coaching and coordination as very positive and would confidently recommend the program to others exploring entrepreneurship.

Lindsay reflects on Evan’s journey:

“For Evan Wile, Waverley Ranch isn’t just a business — it was a new beginning for him and his family in Kneehill County. With the support of Community Futures Wild Rose and the EDP program, he has been able to grow his hobby farm while staying true to his values of hard work, stewardship, and care for the land. His journey reflects the heart of rural entrepreneurship and the passion it takes to build something meaningful for his family and community.”

Growing with Purpose

With clearer insight into his operations and a stronger understanding of where to focus his time and energy, Evan is continuing to build Waverley Ranch in a way that reflects both his values and his vision for the future.

🔗 Follow Waverley Ranch: https://m.youtube.com/@WaverleyRanch

About the Program

The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP) supports rural Alberta entrepreneurs living with disabilities, long‑term health conditions, or other barriers by offering business coaching, resources, and guidance through Community Futures organizations across the province.