by Leeann Minogue
When Canadians think of the origins of their food, they might not immediately picture the close-knit German-speaking Hutterite communities scattered throughout western Canada. Hutterites are known for their communal living and traditional dress – women in long dresses and head scarves, men in dark jackets, pants and suspenders. A little different from the typical Canadian farmer, Hutterite communities are an integral part of Prairie agriculture.
Hutterites in Saskatchewan
The Hutterite tradition of Christianity, communal living and nonviolence began with just 200 people in the Czech Republic during the 1500s. Since then, the community has grown and migrated several times to escape religious persecution. By the mid-20th century, many Hutterites had made permanent homes on the Canadian prairies. Today there are almost 400 colonies in Canada. Most of these are in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, with two in British Columbia. Each of these colonies is made up of about 15 families, living and farming together.
“Primary agriculture is important to us in a number of different ways,” says Joe Kleinsasser, minister of the Rosetown Hutterite Colony in west central Saskatchewan. Historically, farming offered Hutterites an opportunity to preserve their values while building self-sufficient communities. “Agriculture gives us the most comfort in terms of preservation of culture,” says Kleinsasser.
Working Together
Each of the colonies in Saskatchewan operates as an agricultural enterprise. Members collectively grow field crops and vegetables and raise livestock. The Rosetown Colony, for example, produces wheat, canola, and lentils as well as managing a market garden and beef herd. Soon they’ll add free-range chickens to the mix.
Diversification is common. Across the prairies, Hutterites produce a significant portion of the region’s pork, eggs, chicken and dairy products. These initiatives provide employment for colony members, with roles assigned based on interest, aptitude, and seniority. Leadership roles, like farm boss or financial manager are filled by internal elections.
Hutterites blend their traditional value and culture with modern technology and innovation. While few Hutterites take part in education beyond high school, colonies hire external experts like agronomists, veterinarians, and business advisors. They also invest in advanced technology to increase efficiency and sustainability. “All farmers have this passion to produce, and we’re proud that we’re producing sustainable products that feed the world.”
Work Together, Eat Together
As well as producing food for markets, Hutterites consume the food they grow. “We probably eat more of our product than a lot of people do. Food safety is very paramount to us,” Kleinsasser says.
At the Spring Lake Hutterite Colony near Swift Current, Saskatchewan, hog barn manager Jason Hofer estimates that, on his colony, about 90 percent of the food consumed at the colony is grown right there. Although they use the latest technology to grow food, their dining practices reflect their traditional roots.
Every family lives in an individual home, but meals are eaten together in a large dining hall. On most colonies, bells ring three times a day to call everyone to breakfast, lunch, and supper. Meals are prepared by a team of women led by an elected “head cook,” a highly respected position.
Dining halls are typically filled with long tables, where men gather on one side of the room and women gather on the other. At the Rosetown Colony, children eat together after the adults have eaten.
Tradition and Technology
These Hutterite communities embody the Prairie spirit of working together toward a common goal. Their unique blend of tradition and modern technique enables them to sustain their way of life, while they provide Canadians with high-quality sustainably produced food.
Though their language, school system, and communal lifestyle set them apart, Hutterites are an essential part of the prairies’ rural fabric. “We’re normal farmers,” Hofer says. “We might dress a little different but on the inside we’re all human beings.”
