Fraser Family Farms Bed & Breakfast: Where Visitors Come to Slow Down and Breathe

Just north of Boissevain, tucked among open fields and big prairie skies, sits a place where time moves a little differently. Fraser Family Farms Bed & Breakfast has been welcoming guests since 1992, but its story starts long before that—with Ernest and Donna Fraser’s simple desire to share the joy of farm life with others.

More than 30 years ago, the Frasers came across an article from the Manitoba Farm Vacation Association encouraging farms to open their gates to visitors looking for an authentic rural experience. The idea resonated immediately. They already had horses and cattle, and they loved the thought of giving people—especially those who had never set foot on a farm—the chance to connect with animals and the land. That same year, they officially opened Fraser Family Farms Bed & Breakfast, and the experience has been evolving ever since.

From the very beginning, their daughters Karen and Carla were enthusiastic partners in the adventure. Both girls loved the idea of welcoming visitors and were quick to help guests with horseback riding and farm tours, sharing how the family fed and cared for their animals. In 1995, Carla married Allan Hemingway, and over the years, they welcomed three granddaughters—Estina, Kaylin, and Sierra. All three girls love spending time at the farm whenever they can, and Kaylin has even chosen to live there, something Ernest and Donna describe as a true blessing.

Karen has always lived at home and worked both on and off the farm. With experience at two veterinary clinics, she plays a key role in animal care. Twice a day, the whole family pitches in to do chores, and Ernest and Donna are quick to say that without this help, they wouldn’t be able to continue running both the farm and the bed and breakfast.

In the early days, guests could pitch a tent or park a trailer on the property. By 1994, the Frasers had moved a cabin onto the farm and opened it to visitors the following summer. Today, that cozy cabin sleeps up to five people and includes a bedroom, bathroom, and a comfortable sitting area. The original schoolhouse on the property has been transformed into a kitchen, dining room, and recreation space, giving guests a place to gather, cook, and unwind.

What hasn’t changed is the heart of the experience: the animals. Over the years, the farm has grown to include horses, ducks, goats, and a friendly donkey who loves attention. Guests are welcome to help with chores, cuddle the goats, scratch the donkey’s ears, or simply enjoy the company of the animals as they wander the yard. In the summer, there are often baby goats to bottle-feed—a highlight for visitors of all ages.

Fraser Family Farms offers something increasingly rare: the chance to unplug completely. There’s no Wi-Fi and no TV. Instead, guests are encouraged to step outside, breathe deeply, and use the sky as their screen. Families can explore the playground equipment, roam the open spaces, or stay up late watching the stars. As Donna and Ernest like to say, it’s an opportunity to “leave life behind” for a little while.

The farm’s connection to Boissevain runs deep—it’s a family farm, after all—and the community has supported the business from the beginning, mostly through word of mouth. The Frasers have also given back in meaningful ways, welcoming residents from Westview Lodge and Evergreen Place to spend time with the animals and reconnect with the farm life many of them grew up with.

Running a rural bed and breakfast hasn’t been without challenges. When the Frasers first started, advertising was difficult. Without the internet, they relied heavily on the Manitoba Farm Vacation Association and personal referrals. Today, they’re content with the steady pace of business and aren’t looking to expand. As they ease toward retirement, their goals are simple: stay healthy, continue offering a unique experience, and remain available to the people who seek out the peace their farm provides.

They see opportunities for the broader Boissevain business community too—particularly in providing excellent customer service and continuing to attract new residents who will support local shops and services. For their own business, coordinated promotion of local accommodations and attractions would be helpful, but they still believe nothing beats a personal recommendation from someone who has stayed with them.

When asked what advice they’d give to someone starting a business in Boissevain, their answer is straightforward: treat people the way you want to be treated. It’s a philosophy that has guided their work for decades and one that has helped them welcome guests from all over the world.

What they love most about being business owners here is the people—the conversations, the shared stories, and the joy of giving visitors an experience they’ll remember. Fraser Family Farms Bed & Breakfast isn’t just a place to stay. It’s a place to slow down, reconnect, and feel the quiet magic of rural life. And for Ernest and Donna Fraser, that’s exactly what they hoped to share when they opened their doors more than thirty years ago.