The Ellingboe family of west County was recognized for a century of farming when the County of Grande Prairie Agricultural Services Board presented them with a Pioneer Farming Award on September 12, 2021. 

The Ellingboe family history in the west County area dates back to 1919 when Arthur Ellingboe secured the original homestead.  
 
Speaking on behalf of the family, daughter Arta Juneau-Brown said, “I remember my dad telling me about advertisements in the paper, offering free land in the Peace Country. 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.  

Ellingboe was born in Minnesota, then moved to North Dakota. Incredibly, he lived in a tent for the first nine years on his farm outside Beaverlodge, until his mother and stepfather arrived 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.” 

 

Peter Harris 1 Photo Submitted: County of GP

 

As the owner of the first threshing machine and combine in the area, Juneau-Brown considers her father to be a leader for his time. 

 

In 1941 when Ellingboe was 52, he married Kozey Willard, a woman he had initially hired to care for his ailing mother. His wife contributed greatly to the success of their farming operation. Together, they raised eight children, all of whom were present for the Pioneer Farming Award presentation.  

 

Once Arthur and Kozey retired and moved to Beaverlodge, they rented the land to their daughter Arta and husband David Juneau, and their son Dennis Ellingboe. When their youngest daughter Gloria married Gordon Bulley in 1977, they purchased the homestead quarter, fulfilling her childhood dream to own the family farm. In 1981, the Bulleys bought the second quarter and now run a 320-acre farming operation. 

 

“When I look back, I don’t remember the hardships,” said Juneau-Brown. “We lived in the best of times; we worked together and we played together.”   

 

The Pioneer Award pays tribute to families who have lived and farmed or ranched in the County for 100 years or more. The County provides a sign for their property in recognition of their achievement. 

 

“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.” 

 

Applications for the 100 Years of Farming Awards are accepted throughout the year. For more information about the Heritage Homestead Award and the Pioneer Farming Family Award, and to apply or nominate a family, visit www.countygp.ab.ca/100years