A turn-key, multiple agri-business operation with established markets and potential for expansion is for sale west of Stonewall, Manitoba.
ABOUT THE FARM BUSINESS
Watersong Farms Incorporated is currently comprised of a farm gate poultry business, which includes on-farm processing, a butcher shop/smokehouse, a licensed meat/fish process facility, a licensed kitchen and event space and a land-based, closed containment aquaculture facility that produces Steelhead trout for the western Canadian market.
The business holds a Specialty Quota for the production of large roasting chickens (5-12 lbs). Birds are sold farm gate direct to consumers via a client list of over 1,000. Processing is done on the farm.
The aquaculture facility is capable of producing up to 125 metric tonnes of Steelhead trout annually and was originally the model farm for Canada for indoor production. The production method garners a “Green” certification which is the highest for sustainability as recognized by “Ocean-Wise”. The fish raised on the farm are sold to distributors as well as direct to consumers. Processing is also performed within the farm facility.
The provincially-licensed meat and butcher shop is used for primary processing of fish. It also contains a smokehouse and all equipment required for value-adding to produce smoked trout, jerky, sausages. Custom processing of beef, bison, pork and other meats is also part of the business. The facility is licensed to do custom uninspected processing (ie. wild game). In addition, there is a retail area that is used for direct on-farm sales. Some
of the production is sold wholesale and through Farmer’s Markets. The facility also includes a licensed banquet kitchen that is used to host culinary and special events.
While the chicken business is regulated to its capacity, the other aspects of the business have substantial growth opportunities. Just 20 minutes out of Winnipeg, it is an easy drive (pavement all the way) to the farm. This is a truly unique turn-key operation with established markets and potential for expansion. Sellers are prepared to assist new owners with transition support.
LOCATION AND HOUSE
The site has 35.76 acres with frontage on Provincial Highway #67. The site is landscaped and serviced by a driveway off of #67. The site comes equipped with both single-phase and three-phase hydro electricity, natural gas and telephone/internet service. There are four drilled wells on the property and police and fire protection is based within 15 kms of the farm.
The main residence is a 1344 sq ft single story home on a full concrete basement, built in 1974. It contains two bedrooms, one full bathroom, a mudroom, as well as an open plan kitchen on the main floor. The dining and living rooms were renovated in 2005. There is also a full finished basement with two bedrooms, one full bathroom, laundry and large rec. room.
Other features include:
- Forced-air electric furnace and central air conditioning
- Attached 28’x28’ insulated garage
- 18’x18’ detached screened gazebo
- Deck with hot tub area
- Professionally landscaped brick patios
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The 35-acre yard, business and farm with assets and equipment are for sale. The owners are open to considering offers to purchase individual business segments or a lease arrangement. The farm includes:
- Indoor land based Steelhead Trout Aquaculture facility, with an annual
production up to 125 tonnes - Green, OceanWise, SeaChoice Certifications
- Wildlife and Fisheries licensed for fingerling distribution in Manitoba
- Poultry barn
- Direct sale Roasting Chicken business, 1000 customer base
- License Meat/Fish processing facility includes butcher shop & commercial
smokehouse - Retail store/space
- Licensed banquet kitchen with seating for 40
- Pole shed 40/60
- 1400 square foot main residence
FARM OPERATIONS & MARKETS
From an efficient footprint and overall farm size of just under 40 acres, Watersong Farm operates four distinct businesses, each with its own footprint, assets, markets and opportunities.
- Aquaculture: Watersong Farms is host to a state of the art simulated indoor river teeming with tens of thousands of steelhead trout just 20 minutes northwest of Winnipeg in Manitoba’s beautiful Interlake.
- Poultry: Chickens are raised on the farm and sold directly to consumers through a client list of 1,000. The assets included for this business segment involved 2 main areas. First is the poultry barn, which is a 34’x525’ framed building, insulated with metal clad exterior. It has a wall height of 10’ clad with plywood and metal sheathing. The front 105’ are separated and used for combination workshop and heated storage. At the rear there is 420’ which is used for poultry production. It includes four lines of nipple drinkers and two auto feeder lines, sprinkler system
and ventilation. The building is heated with natural gas and was upgraded to LED lighting in 2017. - Butcher Shop: In 2015 the Butcher Shop and Smokehouse were added to the farm, and full production of various poultry and trout items became available to the already committed and growing list of customers shopping farm gate and farmers markets locales. The butcher shop utilizes approximately 1850 ft2 at rear of the main 34’ x 80 remaining building (which has a 16’ x 22’ addition as well. It houses a mechanical room, shipping/receiving room, meat & fish processing area, walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, smokehouse, spice room, staff and laundry room and washrooms. The building is metal clad, insulated, with 10’ ceilings, and is serviced by both single phase and three phase electricity. The butcher shop is fully equipped with stainless steel sinks, tables, commercial smokehouse, meat grinder, sausage stuffer, vacuum packer, meat band saw and more.
- Retail: The main building also houses a 1200 ft2 retail space and banquet kitchen located at the front of the building for easy customer access. A licensed banquet kitchen which seats 40 inside is featured along with the substantial retail space. The for a variety of events either created by us and select chefs, or to accommodate clients’ own ideas for their specific celebration.
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH
Name: Leslie and Rudy
Email: info@watersongfarms.com
Website: watersongfarms.com
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