Fort Times

By Samantha McGee -

March 17, 2016

Sabrina Bovee tends to the garden. Submitted photo

By Samantha Magee

Fort Times Reporter

There are no shortcuts when it comes to farming naturally but a young married couple who own and operate a farm just outside of Indian Head believe that good things take time and a little extra elbow grease.

Sabrina and Jeff Bovee of the Grazing Goose farm rear pasture-raised livestock and poultry without the use of drugs or chemicals and harvesting organic fruits and vegetables to reap the rewards that only food in its most natural form can provide.

They married in 2008 and bought their farm in 2010.

Sabrina is a registered dietician and Jeff is a geologist and farmer, both believe in the power of whole, natural food in its purest form.

“Our intent when we were looking for a farm was to have a beautiful piece of land where we could raise a family and grow healthy food to sustain ourselves,” said Jeff.

In an effort to lead a healthier lifestyle the pair began growing their own food almost immediately and have slowly built up their business to produce enough meat and produce to sell to customers.

In 2014, the Bovees began raising chickens and turkeys to sell to the public and the next year they were offering beef and pork.

“We raise our animals differently than conventional farms of our time. We produce grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork, pasture-raised chickens and turkeys. We farm without the use of chemicals or drugs. Our animals are raised free-range outdoors on grass pasture,” said Jeff.

The Bovees raise heritage breeds of livestock that are more independent and require less human interaction than animals on large commercial farms that have to be fed and assisted with birthing.

“What we are doing is nothing new, but is very rare these days. At one time a heard of pigs on pasture was common sight, but when is the last time you saw a heard of pigs out in the pasture? … Our pigs, live a wilder life…They still have strong piggy instincts. When it comes time to have babies they will make their own nests with straw and have their babies unassisted.”

In 2013, the Bovees planted 3,000 Haskap berry plants.

“In addition we grow a large garden that may one day develop into a market garden. People like to buy our produce because it’s a part of our holistic approach. We don’t use chemicals and use only our own compost that we produce on the farm using organic manure from our cattle,” he said.

The Bovees process and sell chickens and turkeys on the farm. They outsource the butchering of the livestock but hope to build a butcher shop on site someday.

As they continue to expand, the Bovees will start a summertime market and promote the farm as a destination, a place to get away for a few hours and re-connect with nature. The farm will be open to the public starting on May 22.

“People can visit the farm, see the animals, and purchase our meats, hike on our nature trail, eat good food, visit and just enjoy the farm,” said Jeff.

Grazing Goose organic vegetables and berries will be sold alongside produce from Valley Roots market garden, and other local sustainable products.

“We are excited about a richer culture in Saskatchewan with more opportunities for people to get out and enjoy the rural life.”

While this type of traditional farming is rewarding for the Bovees, they admit it has its challenges.

“It is more costly to farm this way. We have to pay for the land base, and a lot of fence upkeep is required for the various animals that we raise. Also, with all the exercise, it takes longer for our animals to grow and requires more feed. This results in slightly higher prices for the consumer when compared to products grown on mass scale,” said Jeff.

However, customers who are aware of the health benefits of buying organic, free-range poultry and meat are generally more willing to pay a higher price, especially when the product is supporting a local business.

Jeff and Sabrina wear many hats — in addition to farming the pair has really had to focus on marketing their products.

“We really love doing it but it’s exhaustively time consuming on top of our daily farming routine.”

Sabrina and Jeff just welcomed a new baby into their home but it will be a few years before their son will be able to help out around the farm. Until then they both work hard to ensure everything is in order.

Last summer they were happy to have a volunteer student from Germany stay with them and help out, and Jeff said family and friends are usually quick to pitch in and roll up their sleeves anywhere they are needed on the 320-acre spread of land.

“It feels great when people thank us for farming this way. We love to connect with our customers. Our customer base is growing, which is fantastic, not only for us but also for the heritage breeds of farm animals that can only exist with the perseverance of small farms like ours.”

Sabrina was recently nominated for CBC’s Saskatchewan Future 40, celebrating young leaders and people making a difference in Saskatchewan.

For more information about the farm go to their website at www.thegrazinggoose.com or call directly at306-695-2676 to place an order.

Jeff Bovee fixes up some fencing. Submitted photo