What to Expect – Living in the Country?
The Rural Municipality of Pense is mainly an agricultural area with most of the rural land used for growing crops and feeding livestock. An industrial park area North-West of the Village of Belle Plaine houses four major industrial producers (Potash, Salt, Anhydrous Ammonia and Ethanol). Country life is very different from city life. What to expect if you are thinking of purchasing rural land or living in the municipality:
- Farmers often work around the clock, their work can be noisy and may disturb your peace and quiet.
- Dust – farming operations and traveling over gravel roads will cause dust (especially during dry and windy conditions).
- Fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides are often used in farming operations – some people may be sensitive to these substances.
- Animals – may cause unpleasant odors – are not allowed to stray off of your property.
- Field burning – at times farmers may burn their fields.
- Noxious weeds – land owners are responsible for the control of noxious weeds on their property – this can be expensive.
- Hunting – hunting provides recreation and manages wildlife populations. Unfortunately this may also involve trespassing or littering.
- Some municipal roads are not maintained year round.
- In extreme weather roads may become impassable (the R.M. works hard to keep Grid roads and school bus routes open).
- Gravel roads – the speed limit is 80 km/hour (unless otherwise posted) – are dusty – are not always smooth – are often slippery when wet – can be muddy during the spring thaw – may contain potholes and washboard areas.
- Garbage pick up – is not available – the municipal landfill is open Wednesdays from noon – 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
There are many benefits to living in a rural area but it is important to be aware of the above points.