BONNYVILLE – Locals got to be tourists in their own community for the MD of Bonnyville’s Rural Beautification Tour on Aug. 8, hosted by the MD’s Ag Service Board. Starting in Fort Kent, guests loaded onto tour buses to visit the 2024 rural beautification winners, several local establishments, and points of interest while MD staff acted as tour guides, relaying information about each area.
Michelle Pitt was the Rural Beautification Acreage Winner, and the tour took guests to her house to see the incredible landscaping she has created with the help of her husband Jason Pitt.
Michelle and Jason started their home from a blank slate of cleared poplar in 2017. Michelle’s mother, an avid gardener herself, helped Michelle start her garden, and upon her passing Michelle really dove into gardening as a way to connect with her mother.
Janice Boden, head of Ag Services for the MD and acting tour guide, told attendees that “Michelle has an insatiable hunger for garden design and tours. She loves to visit other people’s gardens and study how they’ve paired their plants to showcase different colour and texture in their spaces.”
“Michelle is seven years into her gardening journey here, with a lifetime to go, as we all know a garden is never complete.” continued Boden.
When asked what part of her garden was her favourite, Michelle said she enjoyed the tranquility of her shade garden, with its burgundy nine bark and large variegated hostas.
Michelle offered guests a stunning spread of refreshments including cookies hand-decorated with real pansies.
Boden explained how a committee judges the Rural Beautification contest. “We were just totally blown away by her garden,” said Boden
Rural Beautification Farmstead Winners Thomas and Amanda Kemsley allowed tour guests to explore their expansive rock gardens lined with trees. Two impressive boulders are on display, one weighing 32,700 lbs., and the other weighing 27,200 lbs.
Thomas reports that all the rocks were sourced from their own property. It started with a rock sticking out of the kids' tobogganing hill. Tom thought it was a hazard so went to dig it out. The further he dug the bigger he realized the boulder was. The boulder now sits on display in their front yard.
Thomas and Amanda started with an untouched quarter section and have spent many years making it into their dream property.
The tour took its guests to visit the Lakeland Agricultural Research Association, and explore their green house, no-till garden, orchard, and experimental crops.
Guests were delighted to discover a regenerative agriculture-focused company based in Bonnyville called O’Canada Bison Wool Corporation. Nathaniel and Susan Ostashewski gave guests a tour of their factory where their aim is to not only preserve North American bison but honour them by utilizing parts of the bison that often end up in landfills.
The company produces bison textile, tallow, and meat products.
Guests received a warm welcome from the Pine Meadows Hutterite Colony, being the colony’s first tour group. Guests got to explore their production facilities, gardens, communal kitchen, homes, and churches.
Members of the colony sang a couple of songs for the guests before they said their farewells.
The Hutterites left a lasting impression on many guests as they wanted to stay longer.
The tour went to the Bonnyville Forest Nursery where guests were surrounded by a sea of native trees and shrubs.
Upon arrival of the tour, guests received coffee and donuts. Abundant snacks and drinks were supplied at every stop, The Glendon Seniors club put on a hearty lunch (perogy's included), and the day ended with a full steak dinner back in Fort Kent.
Guest Ken Chrapko said a highlight was the wonderful conversations that happened during the tour. “Just getting to interact with people was great. Everyone had a good time.”
