By Jasmine Franklin
Raising non-traditional animals is this hard-working Ponoka couple’s passion.
Mark and Tina Stewart farm elk, bison and beef on their property located 11 miles northwest of Ponoka — and the choice they said, couldn’t have been a wiser one.
“We want to provide food for everybody,” Mark said. “Certain trades don’t properly take care of their animals and we want to create a healthy environment for our animals here that can be passed on to our local consumers.”
MSW Meats, the family of four with children Jenalee, 2, and Owen, 1, ensure to provide their animals with the best care.
For example, no hormones or antibiotics are fed to the animals and its simple facts such as those that draw consumers.
“It was at first slow to catch on because everyone is so used to the traditional beef and chicken products,” Mark said. “But once people began to realize the health benefits of elk, they become very intrigued.”
Tina, a hard-working mom and strong advocate for their business, explained why it is that health-conscious individuals choose their meat.
“There are no herbal pesticides, it’s very lean meat and the consumers know where their meat is coming from,” Tina said. “This last year has been very rewarding for us because out of elk, not only do you get your meats but you get antler velvet which produces EVA that improves your health in many ways.”
EVA is sold at the farm and made from elk antler. It can increase energy levels, improve stamina, muscle strength and endurance and strengthen joints, speed up recovery and healing time and helps to reinforce the immune system. EVA for pets is also sold.
As Mark feeds his elk, it’s clear too see that they are more than just meat to this farmer. He pets them and smiles as they feed out of his bucket.
“I hope one day that my kids will get involved with this business,” he said.
And two-year-old Jenalee is already fulfilling her father’s wish when she sometimes joins him in the early mornings.
Juggling a family, expanding business and a farm, isn’t always easy for the couple but they continue to remain focused on marketing themselves and expanding their services.
“When we started four or five years ago, in the back of my mind I knew we were doing the right thing and because of that, I knew people would find us,” Mark said. “Everything in this house and on this farm has been worked for.”
Mark said raising the elk, the biggest challenge, takes about 20 months because he “naturally lets them grow.” The animals cost about $2 per day to raise.
“It is very rewarding,” Tina said. “Marketing ourselves more is the next step.”
The Stewart’s said they hope to get more involved marketing in Ponoka and surrounding areas, as well as with healthy foods chains.
Though the elk is growing in popularity, bison is a strong resource for the family who recently got their hands into the chicken market last year. Upon great success with poultry, the couple said they will continue with chicken this year, as well as wild turkey.
Farming land that has been in Mark’s family for five generations, the couple said they knew entering this diverse meat market would be a risk, but it was one they were willing to take.
“In (agriculture) school, they told us to diversify,” Mark said. “And that’s exactly what we did.”
The Stewarts were featured for this year’s “Real People, Real Pride” provincial campaign and a video clip of the family can be seen at www.elkranchers.ca
For more information, the Stewarts can be reached at (403) 783-4053.