Division 6 Councillor Peter Harris (left) presents the Ellingboe family with their Pioneer Farming Family Award (Photo: County of Grande Prairie)

By Shaun Penner

Pioneer Farming Award

Ellingboe family honoured for century of farming in the County

Sep 13, 2021 | 11:23 AM

The Ellingboe family of the west County was recognized for their family’s century of farming in the region this past Sunday, as they were given a Pioneer Farming Award by the County of Grande Prairie Agricultural Services Board.

The award comes as the family’s history in the County dates back to 1919, when Arthur Ellingboe came to the region to settle a homestead outside of Beaverlodge. Arthur came to the Peace Country after being born in Minnesota, then lived in North Dakota before moving north.

“I remember my dad telling me about advertisements in the paper, offering free land in the Peace Country,” said Arthur’s daughter Arta Juneau-Brown. “He was 32 and a bachelor when he set out by rail in 1918, but the journey was fraught with danger, including moose on the tracks and a derailment.”

Juneau-Brown says her father lived in a tent on the farm for the first nine years he resided there, until his mother and step-father moved to join him in 1928.

“I’m proud of my father’s tenacity in the face of hardship,” said Juneau-Brown. “He even slept in a snowbank in the absence of any other available accommodations while hauling freight north of Dawson Creek.”

In 1941, Ellingboe married Kozey Willard, a woman he had initially hired to care for his mother. Together, they raised eight children, all of whom were present for the Pioneer Farming Award presentation on Sunday.

Keeping the initial quarter section in the family, plus the purchase of a second quarter by by family members in 1981, the family now runs a 320-acre farming operation.

As recognition for their century of farming in the county, the family was provided with a sign for their property, recognizing their century of farming.

“Our communities have experienced tremendous growth throughout the years. Despite the changes, our foundation in agriculture still influences every aspect of the County of Grande Prairie,” said Sonja Raven, Agricultural Fieldman.

“This award is a token of our appreciation and provides a wonderful way to honour the family heritage and their century of contributions.”

Anyone who would like to nominate other County farm families for the Heritage Homestead Award or the Pioneer Farming Family Award can learn more and do so by clicking here.