TOGO, Sask. — Cottages in varying stages of readiness dot the high riverbank overlooking the Lake of the Prairies where cattle once grazed.
Unlike other farmers ready to retire or change careers, Konrad and Claudia Zangl are building up their farm enterprise in eastern Saskatchewan to include this lakefront development being rolled out in two phases of 24 lot blocks.
This day, workers were trenching in water lines and Konrad was helping excavate one retiree’s basement.
Always ready for a challenge on his 11 quarters, Konrad plans to develop a nine-hole golf course where he is currently experimenting with his first crop of quinoa.
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He is growing 110 acres on contract for the Kamsack-based Northern Quinoa Corporation. He pays them 40 cents per acre for seed, 20 cents per acre if the crop fails, and it will pay him 80 cents per pound for the anticipated 500 lb. per acre harvest.
This year, he seeded 900 acres of organic flax, oats and quinoa. Two quarters are devoted to resort development that includes a dock and boat launch under construction and the rest is in pasture for 30 head of cattle.
“I always like the challenge. If it’s too easy, it’s not for me. I like to try new things,” said Konrad, who has an agriculture degree.
His land is light and benefits from cost savings through organic practices, crop rotations and plow downs of clover and alfalfa. Next year, he plans to add hemp.
“The key is to utilize what’s there and make the best of it,” he said.
Crops are growing well in his area, compared to areas further south, with Konrad able to seed all his crops despite wet conditions from heavy snow and rain.
The quinoa, which had to be reseeded due to concerns over buckwheat, is difficult to get established, needs 120 growing days, tolerates frost well and has few pest and disease issues, he said.
Since the Zangls moved here from Germany 16 years ago, they have dabbled in everything from dairy to hogs to cattle. Markets were poor for pigs and the dairy tied the young family down.
They retained their commercial cow-calf herd, down from a high of 150 head, and raise rabbits and chickens for their own use.
Their three school-aged daughters help with chores around the farm, including caring for horses, cats and a dog. This summer, the family is also getting help from a farm worker from Germany.
Togo does not have a school so the Zangls send their girls to Roblin, Man., which means they must drive the girls to the nearby Manitoba border to reach the school bus each weekday.
The distance limits the off-farm and school activities Sophia, 11, Andrea, 14, and Christina, 16, can participate in, but the Zangls say they have a good local community.
That includes neighbours who oversee their animals when they have taken holidays in Hawaii and Germany.
Farm life means a lot of driving, but Christina, who will soon have her driver’s licence, prefers it to town.
“It’s peaceful, not much chaos, it’s nice,” said Christina, who is learning how to train horses, serves as a Bible camp leader and is contemplating a future in teaching or psychology.
Claudia said the farm is also an option for the girls if they choose it.
“It’s not good to expect them to follow in our footsteps. They need to find their own way and if their own way leads back here, that’s fine,” she said.
Claudia and Konrad both grew up on dairy farms.
She is an avid gardener and helps with the farming side when needed.
Konrad said his wife brings balance to the operation.
“I’m the throttle and she’s the brake and you need both,” he said.
He expects the Sun Hills resort development to have economic spinoffs for the community, with the couple receiving good support from the Rural Municipality of Cote and Village of Togo.
The total development price tag will run into the millions of dollars, but Konrad thinks he can do much of the work himself and has purchased equipment to do so.
The couple expects the development will take another four years to complete.
