A Rocha Prairie Canada has a growing reputation in southern Manitoba as an active organization. Schoolkids, now on summer vacation, recognized A Rocha at the farmer’s market and asked whether their classes will be coming to the field station in the fall for educational activities. I am excited to see their faces again when the school visits occur.

The local beekeepers, Dana and Terry, were selling honey, nectar, and candles. They put bee hives in the forest at the field station and have given presentations in elementary schools with A Rocha sponsorship. My husband Josh and I heard many stories about these young beekeepers and we were glad to make their acquaintance at the market.

Across from the A Rocha tent, our friends Dean and Tiina Hildebrand displayed books on sustainable farming and sold their delicious grass-fed beef. We shared stories about animals–they told us news about their ducklings, chicks, and calves. We shared our stories about raising and releasing Monarch butterflies and the multitude of other flying creatures enjoying the nectar and seeds in the rock garden.

We made one other new acquaintance at the market this week: Lynette Froese, from Wheatsong Bakery. She supplies the organic local grains for hosting meals at the field station. Anyone who shares a meal at A Rocha will enjoy fresh cooking with wholesome ingredients.

My husband and I are beginning to enter the existing A Rocha network here in the Pembina Valley area. We are blessed to have Nick and Susan Pharaoh here, completing their time with A Rocha while we learn the ropes and meet people.

~ Bethany Paetkau

A Rocha Prairie Canada field station, July 21st