The Juneau family was recognized for their century of farming in the County with a new sign for their property on Sunday (Photo: County of Grande Prairie)

By Shaun Penner

Heritage Homestead Award

Juneau family recognized for century of farming in the County

Sep 21, 2021 | 9:01 AM

A Hythe area farming family has been recognized for their century of farming in the west County.

As the latest recipients of the 100 Years of Farming Heritage Homestead Award from the County of Grande Prairie, the Juneau family of west Hythe was recognized for their contributions to the agricultural community on Sunday.

Arta Juneau-Brown said she is proud that the farm has been part of their family for the last 100 years. She says the 160-acre homestead was settled in 1921 by her father-in-law Henry Juneau, after he came up from St. Albert after being wounded in World War I.

“When my father-in-law arrived here, he had no knowledge of farming,” said Juneau-Brown. “His new bride (Mae Allison) managed the animal care while he cleared the land and constructed outbuildings. They went on to raise nine children in their log cabin home before moving into the current framed house in 1959.”

In 1966, Juneau-Brown and her husband, David, took over operations of the farm from David’s older brother, Francis. Francis had farmed the land for a couple of years after Henry suffered a stroke.

David and Arta would go on to raise three boys and a girl in the family home. When David passed away in 2016, the farm moved on to the fourth generation, with their son Merlin and grandson Taylor now growing grain, grasses and canola on the land.

“I have a love for the land and I’m proud of the work my father- and mother-in-law did to establish our legacy in the area,” added Juneau-Brown.

The Heritage Homestead Award aims to pay tribute to families who have continuously farmed or ranched in the County for at least 100 years. The County provides a sign for their property in recognition of maintaining and farming the homestead quarter through generations.

Applications for the 100 Years of Farming Awards are accepted throughout the year on the County’s website.