Farming is a business and because of that a serious focus is placed on production, efficiency and profits. It is these business dynamics which push many farms away from conservation and sustainability efforts. Within the conservation and sustainability efforts embraced on Steppler Farms, they recognize the monetary value which complements these business dynamics within their farm operations.
The farm embraces a unique perspective which reinforces the importance of a balanced approach between production, development and the preservation of the natural world.
The land is improved where needed; technology is brought in to improve efficiency, and breeding efforts are utilized to increase production.
Within their land management practices, conservation type land management strategies are still maintained.
These practices include: conservation tillage/zero tillage, maintenance of riparian water ways, and the preservation of natural aspects of the land scape such as wetlands and ravines. Pastures are managed with paddocks which help focus efforts to improve soil structure, to manage better grass growth and to protect sensitive land types. The pastures are also managed to allow diverse plant growth which provides flowers to pollinators.
The promotion of sustainable management practices has created a healthy productive apiary. Steppler Farms recognizes these conservation management practices as beneficial.
They place a huge monetary value on those practices from a lucrative revenue stream provided from their healthy honey farm. Ultimately, their focus on conservation and sustainable farming practices also follows through full circle as these proactive agronomic practices complement their overall crop production.
You will notice healthy pastures with healthy cattle walking between the fence lines throughout them. You will notice flowers scattered within the pasture grass growth, trees allowed to stand, water allowed to pond, natural water ways and riparian areas left to exist, sometimes left in its natural state and sometimes managed to promote production.
You will notice diverse flowers of all types throughout the farm grown alongside field edges, waterways, ravines and adjacent ditches. You will notice flowering pollinator strips purposely grown along field edges and within unused wet spots on fields.
If you visit Steppler Farms, you will notice not only the effort put towards progressive crop management but also the countless efforts made to conserve and promote the natural aspect of our farm land. This balanced effort between focused development and the promotion of the natural world that Steppler Farms has capitalized on is what makes Steppler Farms’ perspective different from the rest.
Miami, Manitoba, Canada
A third-generation family farm specializing in sustainable honey, grain & cattle farming.
