Northern Sunrise County will be hosting a Yard Showcase to commend home, farm, and acreage owners for taking great care of their property.
“Northern Sunrise County established the Yard Showcase Awards to promote community pride, environmental stewardship, and the creation of more vibrant and welcoming communities,” says Family and Community Support Services director Amber Houle.
“Inspired by the success of similar programs in surrounding municipalities and towns, Northern Sunrise County adopted this initiative to encourage residents to maintain and enhance their yards. These programs have been highly successful elsewhere, and Northern Sunrise County aims to achieve similar positive outcomes in its community.”
Houle says the awards are meant to create a sense of pride in residents. Their goal is to commend homeowners for the time and effort put into beautifying their yards, which inevitably enhances the overall appearance of the community. This creates an attractive place to visit and live in, potentially attracting more people to move or work in the community.
“The awards foster community pride, environmental responsibility, and horticulture excellence,” says Houle.
“In addition to their aesthetic value, well-maintained yards often include a variety of plants, trees, and gardens that can positively impact the environment. Gardening and yard maintenance also has positive effects on physical and mental health. By encouraging these activities, a yard showcase promotes healthier lifestyles.”
To qualify for the program, the entrant must be a resident of Northern Sunrise County and the space entered into the competition must also be in the county’s boundaries. Three categories for the Yard Showcase Awards include Farmyard, Acreage Yard, and Hamlet Yard.
The Farmyard category includes properties primarily used for farming and agricultural purposes. The Acreage Yard category includes properties that are larger than typical residential lots and smaller than full-scale farms. Finally, the Hamlet Yard category is for properties located within hamlets, which typically have smaller lots and different landscaping considerations compared to rural or farming properties.
The deadline to register is July 17. To register, call (780) 625-3293 or visit northernsunrise.net to access the online registration form.
Entries will be judged by a panel and winners will receive a prize and a yard sign to showcase the achievement.
Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter