Kismet Creek Farm to close after almost eight years

Kismet Creek Farm is closing its doors after almost eight years in operation. The farm located south of Friedensfeld and east of Highway 12 is closing its doors due to the lingering financial effects of COVID, from which it was not able to recover.

“Ever since COVID – and we weren’t allowed to be open in the summers during the highest point (of the pandemic) – it’s been a struggle just to try and get back to those numbers of people…I’m still feeling the pain of (those) times, and even with the last lovely fall that we had, with nice mild temperatures, not that many people showed up,” said owner Karl Schoenrock.

“We tried different things to draw people’s attention…If people don’t come I can’t keep going. I’ve never drawn a wage from the farm. Everything here has been just for the animals, for people to come and enjoy, and for families to enjoy, and sadly I can’t keep going if people aren’t coming.”

The 80-acre property has been in the Schoenrock family for decades and has been operating as a farm for more than a century. Prior to becoming a farm sanctuary, the property was used as a dairy farm and later for free-range beef cattle. When Schoenrock’s father told him he was looking to sell the farm, Karl decided to buy it.

The former military police officer opened his sanctuary seven-and-a-half years ago and has seen about 50,000 people visit his animals. In a 2023 interview with The Carillon, Schoenrock held his first fundraiser and at that time estimated he needed about $30,000 a year to keep the animal sanctuary going.

He has about 130 animals which he has already made arrangements to re-home once the farm is sold.

“My entire goal was to bring families back to the farm and the freedom you get (when exploring the farm),” he said, noting kids don’t go outside to play anymore and they don’t know where their food comes from.

“I tell a family you come here, stay all day, bring your food, have a snack. It wasn’t about me taking the money. It’s about families enjoying time together…after almost eight years, a lot of people just didn’t get that. I’m just getting a little tired and strained and I want to spend more time with my family,” said Schoenrock.

Schoenrock will move onto his girlfriend’s farm near Rosengard, south of Mitchell. There he will have a farm/forest school for preschoolers where they can learn about animals and where their food comes from. The homestead is not an animal sanctuary, but a working farm.

Schoenrock said he will miss his family’s farm and his neighbours, some of whom he has known since childhood.

“Until the farm sells, I’m still open. It’ll be nice this weekend. We’re hovering around 0 C or -5 C, that’s ideal right now and I’m open…I want kids to have that last memory – that families have that last memory – the photos, everything else, the outdoor fire, the kids running around, riding a bike, something. I think families need it and at least it’s a good way to end it, to give the animals a last goodbye and give them a last hug and wish them on their way (to) their new homes.”