Kitt Family Recognized as the County's 2026 Farm Family of the Year

The County of Grande Prairie recognizes Jerry, Donovan and Lisa Kitt, owners of First Nature Farms and The Homestead, located in Goodfare, as the 2026 Farm Family of the Year. This second-generation farm has paired nearly a century of learning with long-standing practices, built on a commitment to healthy soil, good food, and a strong community. 

The family’s connection to the land began in 1980, when Jerry Kitt and four business partners purchased what would become a lifelong commitment.  

“I wasn’t a farmer when we bought the place,” Jerry recalls. “But I became absorbed in the land and the cattle and everything this farm had to offer.”  

Over time, he became the sole operator, committing fully to organic farming long before it was widely accepted.  

“People would come up at the farmers market and thank me for being a farmer, for producing good food,” he says. “That feeling never leaves you. We just try to grow good food and feed good people.” 

Back in 2015, Jerry’s son, Donovan, and daughter-in-law, Lisa, returned to the County and bought their own homestead. Together, the duo began farming independently as The Homestead, but as the business grew, it became clear that the scale and long-term vision of the farm aligned closely with the future of his father’s. The couple moved, built a house close to his father’s, and the two farms operated on the same land. 

Today, the Kitt family farms roughly 3,000 acres of deeded and leased land. They raise grass-fed beef cattle, pastured pigs, laying hens and broiler chickens, and grow vegetables, garlic and microgreens. Everything produced is certified organic and goes straight to households through local markets, subscriptions, and farm-to-table events, and their pigs are sold in markets in Vancouver, Kelowna and Nelson, B.C.  

Soil health guides every decision on the farm. Years of learning have shaped a shared philosophy: if you take care of the soil, the soil takes care of everything else. 

“Healthy soil makes healthy plants, healthy animals, and healthy people,” Lisa says. “We need to put the culture back into agriculture. Food creates community, and we see that every day on the farm.” 

Holistic grazing keeps the grasslands strong and low-stress livestock handling supports animal welfare. When Alberta’s last poultry processor closed, the family built an on-farm facility so the community would not lose access to pasture-raised chicken. 

The Homestead Farm and First Nature Farms have been selected as the 2026 Farm Family Award recipients, an honour that recognizes their multigenerational stewardship, land care, and commitment to feeding their region. The Kitts will be celebrated at the 2026 Farm Family banquet during the Peace Country Classic Agri-Show at Evergreen Park on March 13, 2026. 

Banquet tickets are available through the County Agriculture Department at 780-532-9727. Learn more at www.countygp.ab.ca/farmfamily. 

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Kitt Family
Pictured front left to right: Lisa, Everette, Murray, and Donovan Kitt.  
Back: Jerry Kitt 

Media Contact:  
Communications and Marketing 

Communications@countygp.ab.ca