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.
The businesses, farm assets, equipment and residence are for sale. The sellers are also open to considering offers to purchase individual business segments and a lease arrangement. - 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 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 ft2 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. Also includes: - 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 FARM OPERATIONS & MARKETS From an efficient footprint and overall farm size of just under 40 acres, Watersong Farm operates 4 distinct businesses, each with its own footprint, assets, markets and opportunities. AQUACULTURE BUSINESS 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. Built to raise a total of 140 metric tonnes of fish annually in freshwater, straight from the aquifer, recycled (98-99%) and nutrient rich, enough to feed 10 acres of greenhouses. The Steelhead Trout raised in the facility is OCEAN WISE GREEN CERTIFIED. The Ocean Wise symbol next to a seafood item assures consumers that option is the best choice for the health of the oceans. It is also SEACHOICE designated: which is a science-based, solution-focused influencer, advocate and watchdog leading the next evolution of seafood sustainability in Canada. The primary facility for the aquaculture business is the fish barn. A 60’x200’ pole building - insulated, metal clad.It contains moisture proof interior cladding along with a 16’ ceiling, LED Lighting, serviced by 400 amp, three-phase 600 volt electrical. Within the barn itself the fish rearing facility is 11,000 ft2. There is also a 240 ft2 mechanical room and a 480 ft2 workshop. On the second level there is a 480 ft2 observation room and an office. The majority of trout are sold 3-5 lbs average to local distributors in Winnipeg, who further process and sell locally and throughout western Canada. Primary processing (gutting) is done on the farm. Approximately 10-15% of the fish is retained and further processed (value-added) on the farm and sold directly to smaller retailers, restaurants and consumers. POULTRY BUSINESS IChickens 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. The business also includes poultry processing trailers, which are used for kill & evisceration. There is an 8.5’ x 53’ semi trailer which is insulated and equipped with aluminum flooring. The trailer is food grade serviced with hydro and water and LED lighting. Equipped with a 16’ kill line (with moving shackles, stun knife) and a 20’ eviscerating line (with moving shackles and other miscellaneous equipment). BUTCHER SHOP BUSINESS 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. The butcher shop is used for all meat processing on the farm, including poultry and fish as well as all of the custom processing of game and domestically raised animals from current customers. The retail space allows owners to develop a full range of deli and barbeque items on top of supplying specialty meats from the farm store to customers. RETAIL BUSINESS 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. Prior to Covid, the farm hosted Chef and Farmer events for foodies and Manitoba chefs, as well as hosting an onsite Farmers Market, local breweries, music and fundraising events. The facility also includes a Chef's Table, designed for 8 diners only, up close and personal dining. Watersong Farms also became the first of two locations in Manitoba to join an RV camping program called Harvest Hosts. A network of farms, wineries, and attractions that offer a unique place for self-contained RV'ers to stay overnight. To find out more information about this exceptional way of camping take a look at harvesthosts.com. ADDITIONAL FACILITIES & ASSETS - Storage Shed: 40’ x 60’ x 14’ pole building, metal clad, gravel floor, serviced with single phase electricity. - Mix Mill Building/Granaries: -12’x12’ frame building, metal clad, contains mix mill and back-up generator - 3 - 4500 bushel metal bins on concrete pad - 1 - 900 bushel steel hopper bin - 1 - 400 bushel steel hopper bin - Lagoon/Retention Ponds: - 1 - 3 million gallon solids retention cell - 1 - 10 million gallon water retention cell Cooling & Packing - 1 - 8.5’x53’semi trailer, as above with diesel powered reefer included equipped with stainless steel cooling tanks, drain racks, packing table and cold storage.