Visiting our Hutterite neighbours
By Joan Janzen
KINDERSLEY - Dotted across the prairies, you'll find numerous Hutterite colonies. We may meet these individuals in our communities while shopping or at local markets. They are our neighbours, producers of grain, livestock, poultry, garden produce and many other products.
Recently, I had the opportunity to tour Springfield Hutterite Colony, located seven miles east and three miles north of Kindersley. The colony of 126 souls was founded in 1991 as a subdivision of Smiley Colony.
There are three different branches of Hutterites: Schmiedeleut, Dariusleut and Lehrerleut. The Springfield Colony is the latter. Each branch has slight differences in style of dress and the structure of their organization.
Tamara and Anita Kleinsasser were my tour guides; however, two hours was only enough time to tour one-quarter of the colony's facilities. The two sisters welcomed me into their family's home, which was filled with the colony's workmanship. Sturdy upholstered furniture, a handcrafted wooden clock, kitchen cabinets, and a sink were all products made at Springfield Colony. Even the broom used for sweeping the floors was manufactured on the premises.
Twenty students from grades 1-9 settled into their desks after recess. They are taught by Ms Alexandra Graham, along with three Education assistants.
Hutterite children from ages two and a half to five years attend pre-school while their mothers are working. They speak primarily German until they start school at age 6.
Martin Kleinsasser showed a sample of what can be created on a 3D printer.
Men were working on playground equipment in the welding shop.
A playground equipment project was underway for the colony which included this really long slide.
The carpentry shop is “where the magic happens”. Kitchen cabinets were being prepared for the colony’s kitchen renovations.
The carpentry shop is “where the magic happens”. Kitchen cabinets were being prepared for the colony’s kitchen renovations.
Skid plates used in combine headers are made at the colony on a mold press and sold to implement dealers.
Next door to their living room, the sewing room has three sewing machines, all acquired from the former Veronica's Sewing Supplies store. Making all their clothing is a huge task, which the ladies do in their own homes. After all, Tamara mused, "I can already picture thirty ladies together. No sewing would get done, only visiting."
Companies from Winnipeg and Medicine Hat send out fabric samples. Once the ladies have made their selections, a shipment is delivered from Winnipeg or picked up at Medicine Hat.
Activity at the colony's greenhouse will begin in late March when flowers will be planted for the colony's use, along with bedding plants for their garden. The garden plot is ten or more acres in size.
The colony has a 600-start-to-finish sow/hog operation. The slaughterhouse is also where produce is canned. Livestock consists of 102 steers and four milk cows. The colony provides beef and milk for itself and sells cattle once they reach market weight.
Their chicken production is enormous, including 80,000 broilers and 36,000 laying chickens. That equates to 24,560 eggs per picking, which are then shipped by truck every week. The chickens are picked up and taken to a slaughterhouse, where they are sold at outlets such as Costco and KFC.
Hutterites are a generous bunch. They donate food to the Food Bank once a month and also make donations to Ronald McDonald House and FoodMesh Kindersley.
The chickens' feed and water intake and surrounding temperature are closely monitored using an alarm system, as the health of the birds is a primary concern. When they arrive at the colony, chicks are a day old and are shipped out at six weeks.
Recycled newsprint is shredded and used as bedding for the broilers. Apparently, bugs don't like ink, which keeps the chicken barn free of pests. The colony's paper shredder is a modified straw shredder.
As we headed towards the carpentry shop, Anita informed me that the colony has its own certified plumber, electrician, welder, and carpenter, as well as someone with a natural gas licence. All their work is inspected, and everyone is required to take the necessary safety courses associated with their work assignment. Every position on the colony is obtained by vote.
"This is where the magic happens," Tamara said as we entered the carpentry shop, where cabinets were being built for their kitchen renovation project. Another colony collects and recycles any scraps remaining from cabinet construction.
Skid plates used in combine headers are made on a mold press and sold to implement dealers. And a 3D printer enables the production of various gadgets and toys.
The welding shop was working on an impressive playground equipment project for the colony. Tamara said she would like to try out the lengthy slide after it is set up, but only when no one is looking.
Meanwhile, a dozen preschool children ages 2 to 5 were all looking at me as I entered their space. They follow a regular routine while their mothers are working. The youngsters speak primarily German until they begin attending school at the age of 6.
The school-aged children begin their day at 7:15 , attending German School until 8:30 a.m. and memorizing verses. They also attend another half hour of German school after their regular school classes, at which time they learn German songs and German calligraphy. Hutterites speak a Bavarian dialect, which includes an English word here and there.
The English classroom is down the hall from the German classroom, where principal Alexandra Graham teaches twenty students from grades 1-9. She has the help of three education assistants, and all the staff expressed appreciation for the support they receive from the Hutterite community. On Saturdays the students take on the responsibility of cleaning the classrooms.
After completing their elementary school years, I was told the students have no problem challenging the GED, which is required for anyone entering a trade.
The next destination was the church, the central building in Hutterite colonies. Each evening, a bell rings to notify the community that it's time to attend a half-hour church service. Men sit on one side and women on the other, while the two ordained ministers and six elders are seated facing the people. These men are responsible for making the major decisions on the colony. Sunday morning services also include Sunday School for the children who begin attending services at the age of six.
At the age of 19, people on the colony have the option to get baptized, at which time they are considered brothers and sisters of the colony. Couples must be baptized before getting married. Married men have beards, and brides wear a typical Hutterite dress of their choice on their wedding day.
We headed to the kitchen, where we were greeted by wonderful aromas. The head cook decides the main dishes which will be served, while two assistants make the cold and hot side dishes. The kitchen staff works on a rotation basis, with bread making scheduled on Fridays and pastry made on Wednesdays.
Although that ended my tour, it was the beginning of a new acquaintance with our neighbouring Hutterite community. Thanks for the tour; I really enjoyed it.