Steads Farm Supply: A Family Story Rooted in Community

By Jennifer Beard, Matthewson & Co.

www.smallplacesrock.com

If you’ve ever stepped inside Steads Farm Supply, you’ve probably felt it—that mix of down-to-earth farm know-how, genuine neighbourliness, and the sense that this place has grown right alongside the community it serves. That feeling didn’t happen by accident. It started more than 40 years ago with a big leap of faith, a dairy farm in England, and a newspaper ad that changed everything.

In the early 1980s, David and Diane Stead operated a dairy and sold raw milk in England. When new legislation made that difficult, they started looking for a new path. One day, they spotted an ad about “farming in Canada,” and curiosity got the better of them. After attending an information session and taking a two-week trip to Manitoba, they found a dairy farm with a ravine and oak trees that reminded them of home. They put in an offer, packed up their life—and their daughters—and arrived at their new farm on October 31, 1983.

After selling his milk quarter in 1994, David began selling minerals to neighbours. It didn’t take long before he realized Boissevain needed a dedicated livestock supply store. When the local implement shop was sold and the building came on the market, David and Ron Gibson purchased it and opened Boissevain Agri Mall in 1996. The Agri Mall included Steads Farm Supply, the Boissevain Veterinary Clinic and Maynes Fuels. A few years later, David bought Ron’s share and became the sole owner of the Agri-Mall. From there, the Veterinary Clinic relocated, Maynes Fuel closed, and the store continued to evolve and grow — adding homeopathic and organic products, expanding livestock supplies, and eventually opening a greenhouse that has become a local favourite.

Today, Steads Farm Supply is still very much a family operation. David is “semi-retired,” though anyone who knows him understands he’ll keep working as long as he enjoys it. His daughter Ann now owns the business; her son Matthew handles many deliveries, and another daughter, Hazel, runs the greenhouse and oversees the homeopathic and organic product lines. It’s a true family effort, built on decades of experience and a whole lot of heart.

Walk through the doors, and you’ll find everything from livestock feed and fencing supplies to pet food, salt, twine, net wrap, silage sheets, and farm essentials. The store also carries a wide range of homeopathic and organic health products for both animals and humans. And since 2020, the Garden Centre has added a burst of colour and life to the business, offering tropical plants, seasonal favourites, and farm-themed giftware and toys. Whether you’re feeding a herd, pampering a pet, or brightening up your living room, Steads has something for you.

What really sets Steads Farm Supply apart, though, is the people behind it. David’s deep livestock knowledge is a huge asset, and the team’s commitment to customer service is well known. They’re always willing to go the extra mile, try new products, learn new technologies, and make sure customers leave with exactly what they need. Quality matters here—because the Steads know firsthand how important reliable products are on the farm.

Boissevain has been home from the moment the family arrived. They loved the feel of the community, the friendliness of the people, and the way neighbours welcomed them from day one. Their daughters went to school in Boissevain, and choosing the community as the home for their business felt natural. Over the years, local support has been steady and strong, with customers returning again and again.

Giving back is simply part of who they are. Steads Farm Supply regularly sponsors and donates to local organizations and events. David himself has served on Council since 1991 and has been active in the Turtle Mountain Agricultural Society. Volunteering and community involvement aren’t just values—they’re a way of life.

Like any rural business, Steads has faced challenges. Freight and shipping costs can be unpredictable, and there’s always the balancing act between price and quality. But the Steads have never been afraid to adapt. They continue to evolve with new products, new technologies, and new opportunities. Looking ahead, they see room for growth—not just for their own business, but for Boissevain as a whole. Addressing the shortage of rental and affordable housing, they say, would make a big difference for attracting workers and supporting local business expansion.

Steads Farm Supply contributes to the local economy in a big way, employing four full-time and three part-time staff and drawing customers from across the region. They also promote other local businesses whenever they can, because supporting the community means supporting each other.

As for the future, the goal is simple: keep offering the right products at the right price, keep learning, and keep enjoying the work. When asked what advice they’d give to someone starting a business in Boissevain, the Steads keep it practical—have your finances in place, keep overhead low, and start small with staffing. And when asked what they love most about being business owners here, the answer comes easily: the people. Meeting them, talking with them, helping them. As long as the work is enjoyable, why stop?

Steads Farm Supply isn’t just a store. It’s a family story, a community anchor, and a reminder of what can grow when people take a chance, work hard, and put down roots in a place that feels like home.