SASKATOON — Teaching people, especially youth, how some of Saskatchewan’s crops are grown, harvested, and manufactured into food is what family-owned farm Sixteen Grains is introducing as part of its year-round agriculture tourism initiative. Sixteen Grains is located west of the city by Highway 7 and Cedar Villa Road.
As part of Sixteen Grains’ agritourism plan, they participated in the Saskatchewan Open Farm Days in August. People had the opportunity to tour the farm, learn about its sustainable farming practices, and experience the fresh ingredients it uses in making its flagship pancake mix and other products.
The farm had been with Derek Dery’s wife's family for over a century, and they took over the operation in 2007. Dery grew up on a farm, just like his wife, and he remembers that all he wanted to do as a kid was to learn how to drive a tractor. They want to take people back to usual home meals, where families and friends gather around the table to enjoy breaking bread and sharing ideas.
"From our farm to your table, every ingredient is carefully selected to ensure quality and taste. With Sixteen Grains, you’re enjoying a meal and creating memories. The Saskatchewan Open Farm Days is an annual event that shares Saskatchewan agriculture stories with you by bringing people together through educational and experiential agricultural-based initiatives to learn about where your food comes from,” said Dery.
Dery said they decided to participate in the Saskatchewan Open Farm Days, a country-wide initiative to educate people about where the food they serve at home comes from, to introduce Sixteen Grains as a modern brand with Canadian-farmed ingredients. The farm-to-table initiative aims to connect a diverse group of people to rural farming communities that would give them a memorable experience.
“We participated in Open Farm Day to create an opportunity to connect with the local public and people from Saskatoon and the area just to open our doors and see a farm. Most people are currently generations removed from the farm. Hence, it allows people to walk around a tractor and in a wheat field and then talk to all our team and operators working throughout the year to grow the crops,” Dery told SaskToday.
“This is our first time participating in the Open Farm Days, and the facilitators for the program did an excellent job of getting everything set up for us. They brought a busload of people to the farm. We had over 100 people visiting the farm. So, attendance was good for our first time participating in Open Farm Days. We are committed to maintaining quality and showcasing the heart and soul of Saskatchewan farming and the community spirit that drives us.”
Dery said that during the Open Farm Days agritourism tour, people always ask how their farm, Sixteen Grains, got its name.
“Sixteen is just a number that always comes up in our family. My son was born on the 16th. My wife, Tricia, was born on the 16th, and we were married on the 16th. The family has 16 grandkids. When we changed the name to Sixteen Grains, I think it was the 16th year we were farming. My wife, Tricia, I believe, is the fourth or fifth generation that has been farming here, and it has always been the daughter that is taking over the farm. So, our objective, Tricia and I, is to take our name out of it,” said Dery.
Dery added that not using their name for the farm modernizes things and will allow the next generation of their family to continue the agribusiness. Sixteen Grains takes pride in creating nutritious products sourced from their farm that families can enjoy.
Derhey plans to hold Open Farm Days annually, which is why they are investing $100,000 in one of the projects: the Sixteen Grains Fieldhouse, a farm office that will help support their year-round agritourism initiatives.
“Another good thing about participating in Saskatchewan Open Farm Days is that we are looking at launching an agritourism product for our farm, allowing us to connect with the public regularly. So, it's good practice for our team and operators to connect with people, socialize, and explain their work. Saskatchewan farmers are some of the best farmers in the world in terms of modern farming practices,” said Dery.
Sixteen Grains’ products include pancake mix, pizza crust mix, and cookie dough, which will be available this year. They are also developing cookie snacks that go well with coffee that they hope to sell in gas stations . Sixteen Grains grows wheat, canola, and corn.
Sixteen Grains’ mission is to bring people together through the joys of fresh, nutritious, and delicious food, beginning with their pancake mix that can create memorable kitchen moments that spark a connection.
"In a world always rushing, we believe in slowing down and creating memories around the table. With Sixteen Grains, we’re not just serving up pancakes—we’re serving up moments of togetherness,” ended Dery.
