It’s been a pretty good year for Rehoboth farms in the Grunthal/Kleefeld area.
Henry Stam and his wife Ev started up the dairy operation in 2012 when they moved here from Ontario, and Henry feels good about how things are going.
“The margins are tight but overall, in our area we’ve been very fortunate,” he says, adding that the weather has been okay this year. “No hail, decent amount of rainfall, that sort of thing. So yeah, things look good here.”
Stam says the plan is to pass on the farm to their children who are actively involved in the operations.
Their daughter Kierra is looking forward to taking over the farm.
“I’ve always been on a farm,” she says. “I grew up on a farm, so it’s kind of what I know, and I haven’t really done anything else, and I love it here. It’s nice. It’s a great experience.”
Robotic equipment is used for milking the 115 cows. Kierra loves farming but admits there are stressful moments.
“Things breaking is the biggest stress because it happens all the time, especially with robots, and it’s normally during the night,” Kierra says.
Even with the challenges, she says the farm life experience is fantastic.
“My husband’s here on the farm, too. He takes care of all the shop stuff, fixing things.”
Her children are also getting a taste of what it’s like to grow up on a farm, learning about the work and the fun.
“The kids like to experience all the farm stuff and love to come into the barn and help out with whatever they can,” says Kierra. “And in the fields, they’re super involved with doing what they can.”
Right now, Henry says he and his wife have taken a step back, allowing their kids to get a good grasp on what it takes to run the farm.
“We feel that we should keep running it and running it with our kids,” says Henry. “And trying to stay on the sidelines a bit so they can manage and run it.”
MEALS ON THE FARM IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES:
SCU
MHV
Steinbach Dodge
Marc Hutlet Seeds
Richardson Pioneer
Masterfeeds
H&L Motors
Hanover Doors
Denton Krentz
Space Age Kal Tire
Titan Trailers
TC Energy
HUB International
LMS Ag
MNP
McVicar Farm Services
Scotia Bank
Cornerstone Timberframes
KK Penner Tire Centres
-With files from Carly Koop, Michelle Sawatzky
