About Schraefel Farms Ltd.
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Our Mandate:
The Schraefel Farm is a 7200-acre organic farm in Saskatchewan which grows small dry grains such as wheat, barley, flax, peas, lentils, and oats. This 4th-generation farm is operated by Adam, Stephen, Laura, and Derek (The Straw Boss), Shelby with help from Clem and Chandra.
The mandate of The Schraefel Farm is to produce and distribute high quality certified organic cereal grains, oilseeds and legumes to Canadian and International organic markets. Continued market penetration will be pursued through a commitment to research, marketing and development of new products and new uses for existing products. We will continue research into new ways of adding value to bulk commodity sales.
Our family looks forward to growing the highest quality food without damaging the land for future generations and allowing the wildlife to share our good fortune. It is difficult for farm families to survive in farming any more but we hope to live here for a long time and dream that our sons can enjoy this lifestyle as well. We are encouraging other smaller family farms to transition to this type of agriculture to help fill demand and to allow farmers to make a good living on smaller farms.
Any farm system needs water and organic systems are no exception. In order to have green manure plow down crops, you need rain. Organic systems still rely on tillage to control weeds and that leaves the land vulnerable to erosion on dry years. We use reduced tillage as much as possible and when it rains we try to continually crop the land with direct seeding techniques and so far this has worked well. This is a relatively new practice for the organic community but one that I feel will catch on. A lot of trial and error goes into the transition and if we can survive the disasters we should be all better off. I think the land is starting to appreciate not being poisoned and is beginning to perform better as a result.
Location:
The farm’s home quarter is located in Saskatchewan on the South West quarter of 20 -33-22 west of the 3rd meridian. Kerrobert is the nearest town 10 kilometers away with a population of 1200. Saskatoon is the closest city at 200 kilometers with a 250,000 population. It is located, along with neighboring farms, far from any industrial pollutants. This provides the ideal place to grow organic grains for international consumption.
The Schraefel Farm has been transforming into a producer, distributor, and retailer of high quality, certified organic grains, oilseeds and legumes to the world marketplace. It is distinguishing itself from traditional, high-cost commercial farming. It is leading the way, with other organic farms in the area, in re-establishing agricultural producers as a self – sustaining and vibrant member of the community.
The transition has not been easy nor without risks but the risks of maintaining the status quo in agriculture are immense and the need for change far outweighs the risk. The Schraefel Farm is a sole proprietary but has many supporting roles. Financiers, suppliers, brokers, shippers, customers, family members, employees, and neighbors are involved in the short and long-term operations.
In 2017 some of the highest recorded yields occurred on the farm. The original home quarter broke in 1907 was well over 40 bushels per acre of beautiful Hard Red Spring Wheat. Average yields over the years are closer to 30 BPA.
Our farm was founded in 1907 by Clemens and Magdalina Schraefel
History
At Schraefel Farm
History of Organic Production:
In 1907, over 110 years ago years ago, when this land was first broke, all production was organic. Methods were slow and many times the weeds and pests were hard to control. The farm has now reverted back to its roots and many of the early methods are being used again to control pests. How I wish now that I could talk to my Grandfather about some of their long-forgotten methods.In 1997 we began the transition to organic production. By 2000 all the land was certified organic. We have had some disasters and some successes. In 1999 it quit raining and we have had 4 years of devastating drought. By July, the grasshoppers had eaten what was left. In the yard, all the trees were stripped of foliage and the grass was crispy brown. In 2002 there was no crop, not even enough seed for the following year. Fortunately, by 2004 we have had ample rain. The crop yield was good but the quality was not as good hraefel Farms Ltd., our mission is to provide our customers with the freshest, highest quality produce and meat products. We're committed to sustainable farming practices that protect our land and animals for future generations. We believe that by supporting local agriculture, we can help build stronger and healthier communities.
Our Team
The farm’s home quarter is located in Saskatchewan on the South West quarter of 20 -33-22 west of the 3rd meridian. Kerrobert is the nearest town 10 kilometers away with a population of 1200. Saskatoon is the closest city at 200 kilometers with a 250,000 population. It is located, along with neighboring farms, far from any industrial pollutants. This provides the ideal place to grow organic grains for international consumption.
The Schraefel Farm has been transforming into a producer, distributor, and retailer of high quality, certified organic grains, oilseeds and legumes to the world marketplace. It is distinguishing itself from traditional, high-cost commercial farming. It is leading the way, with other organic farms in the area, in re-establishing agricultural producers as a self – sustaining and vibrant member of the community.
The transition has not been easy nor without risks but the risks of maintaining the status quo in agriculture are immense and the need for change far outweighs the risk. The Schraefel Farm is a sole proprietary but has many supporting roles. Financiers, suppliers, brokers, shippers, customers, family members, employees, and neighbors are involved in the short and long-term operations.
In 2017 some of the highest recorded yields occurred on the farm. The original home quarter broke in 1907 was well over 40 bushels per acre of beautiful Hard Red Spring Wheat. Average yields over the years are closer to 30 BPA.