Andrea Stroeve-Sawa’s family has owned Shipwheel Cattle Feeders Ltd. since the early 1900s. Her grandfather opened the business, and then it was passed onto her grandfather, her father, and now she has been running the show since 2013.
Shipwheel Cattle Feeders has five enterprises including a custom feedlot, a grazing operation, composting (three different kinds), egg production and an on-farm store.
“I love the connection we have to the cattle, land and people. We’re really focused on sustainability within the Canadian beef sector and leaving this land better than we found it,” says Stroeve-Sawa.
The business owner added the Green Mercantile, a local farm store featuring over 30 Canadian vendors from home decor to self-care products, and food and drink, including Shipwheel Beef and pasture raised eggs.
The Green Mercantile is named in honour of her great grandfather, Albert Green, who left Sweden at 14 years old to start a new life in America.
“His courage and bold spirit live on in Shipwheel’s story, and naming our store after him is our small way of saying thank you, Grandpa Green,” writes Stroeve-Sawa on the business’ website.
When she was renovating the space for the new store, her local councilor recommended she apply for the Beautification Loan, offered through Community Futures Chinook and the Town of Taber.
Stroeve-Sawa connected with Alvaro Mendes, Executive Director of Community Futures Chinook, and was accepted for the loan.
“Alvaro was very helpful and knowledgeable. The process was super easy,” says Stroeve-Sawa.
Using the loan, she added a rustic, outdoor pergola and matching shelving, “when you walk up to our store, it looks really beautiful now.”
Throughout the process, Stroeve-Sawa enjoyed being able to visit the office in person. As the world turns digital, and living in a town, it feels as though she often has to visit cities or process items online.
“I really enjoyed how easy it was to access the loan. I really appreciated being able to stop in at the office and drop off all my paperwork. It was so nice and convenient."
“I really love in person connections and making new connections, so it’s great to have a Community Futures Chinook office right here in Taber.”
Shipwheel Cattle Feeders Ltd. can be found online at shipwheelcattlefeeders.ca.
