Awards

Rural Beautification

The County of Newell’s annual Rural Beautification Awards recognize residents who take pride in creating and maintaining beautiful rural yards. Open to properties over one acre, maintained without hired help, the program honours three winners each year. Judging considers design, creativity, functionality, maintenance, and conservation efforts. Winners receive a personalized award, have their yards featured online, and are showcased on a special bus tour. Nominations are accepted annually, follow us on social media for updates.

We are excited to announce the 2025 Rural Beautification Award winners!

1st Place - John & Teena Ketchmark

2nd Place - David & Kathlyn Peltzer

3rd Place - Mark & Krista Kasdorf

Congratulations to the winners, your hard work and dedication have helped keep the County of Newell looking vibrant, welcoming, and beautiful!

View the award winning yards here > 2025 Rural Beautification Awards

For more information about this program, check out our Rural Beautification Policy.

Winners

To view the Rural Beautification Booklets of Winning Yards from 2005 to present, click here.

Calgary Stampede Farm Family Award

Program Details

The Calgary Stampede Farm Family Awards is a program sponsored by the BMO Bank of Montreal to recognize 20 Southern Alberta families for their outstanding contributions to Alberta’s agricultural sector. Families who receive the award are chosen for the honor by their local Agricultural Service Boards based on the difference they have made to the farming community. The awards highlight agricultural innovation, skilled business acumen and commitment to environmental stewardship as well as Western heritage and family ideals.

If you have any suggestions for nominees for next year please contact Todd Green, Director of Agricultural Services. Email greent@newellmail.ca, or by phone 403-794-2336.

Requirements for the Farm Family awards are:

Farm families must be actively involved in both agriculture and their communities
Agriculture must provide the major source of income
Must be active in primary agriculture and have members residing on farm