Riding in on a Trusty Horse and Buggy

October 4, 2018

Faced with different challenges than their conventional competitors – Marita Fields re-acquaints us with the traditional methods of farming.

Farmers and owners, Marlin and Rita, grew upworking on commercial farms. But they wanted a different kind of farm for themselves when they grew older. When starting their own farm, Marlin and Rita scrapped the heavy metal equipment and concrete barns. Instead they explored a more humbling lifestyle as Mennonitefarmers, and brought their farm back to nature.

How Does it Work?

The typical Mennonite family doesn’t use any digital technology – so you can only imagine the unique challenges this partnership faces with an online meat platform like NIKU Farms.

1. We chat with Marlin about 4 to 5 times per week by calling his landline because he does not own a cellphone.

2. Every Sunday when Marlin gets back from church, we finalize that week’s orders with him over the phone.

3. On Monday morning we email all the UPS shipping labels to his friendly neighbour, who prints them all for Marlin. 

4. On Wednesday, Marlin takes his horse and buggy down the road to pick up the shipping labels. He packs the boxes, labels them, and prepares them for UPS to pick them up from his farm. From his farm, the package is delivered directly to your home. Although Marlin and Rita may not use technology, and have never actually seen our website, we have a strong relationship built on trust.  

Marita Fields’unique passion for down-to-earth farming practices (and one very friendly neighbour with internet and a printer), makes all of this possible and well-worth it for you.

“Selling directly to the customer is the best kind of sale for my farm and family. I could sell far more meat if I raised animals on an industrial farm, and I could sell them for less. Instead, I raise them the right way, on my farm’s wide open pastures. Selling directly to the customer means we both get more value.” — Marlin Martin