Colony's Contribution

Currently in agriculture, it is very important that operations are diversified in order to  be successful. A few generations ago, it was common that all farms raised a variety of animals so that they could have beef, milk, and eggs produced. Currently, the best model of diversification would be Western Canada's Hutterite colonies. Recognized by their clothing of black pants and suspenders on the men, and head shawls on the women, they are communal living, Anabaptist (adult baptists), and live a conservative, pacifist lifestyle. They came to Alberta in 1918 from the Dakota's and now there are 170 + colonies in Alberta, as well as many in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.




Traditional housing




The hog barn

 Colonies have their own  schools which follow the Alberta curriculum. Traditionally, students left school when they were 15, but many colonies now offer high school. My mom has worked at a colony school for a number of years and I have met many of the students that have gone through the school.

Hutterites are self sufficient and produce an amazing amount of agriculture commodities. Grain, oil seeds, forages, vegetables, dairy and beef cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, ranch horses, bees, chickens, eggs, turkey, geese, ducks are all in production. That is a long list! Not only that but they also run their own slaughterhouses, manufacturing shops, greenhouses, agriculture ventures, and make their own house hold articles, furniture, and leather goods!

No one comes close to the amount of production done by the Hutterites. In 1973, 7200 Hutterites owned 58,000 acres (1.2% of arable land). By 1997, 151 colonies owned 1.5 million acres= 1% of total farmland in Alberta. However, they produced 1/3 of all dairy products, eggs, and hogs! 10% of Canada's milk supply comes from Hutterite colonies. (source: ualberta.ca)

There are two colonies on either side of our ranch, the Tschetter Colony and the Mountainview Colony. The Hutterites are not only huge agricultural producers, but they are also good neighbours. My grandma's show barn was built by a neighbouring colony. I have gotten to know many of them over the years and have spent many enjoyable hours at the colony.




Branding day!


To view more on Hutterites in Alberta, click on the link below!
http://www.ualberta.ca/~german/PAA/Hutterites.htm