Riverbend Colony

Riverbend Colony is located near the hamlet of Mossleigh in southern Alberta, an area of rolling prairie and cropland between Calgary and the Vulcan/Strathmore region. Founded in 1976, it has become a well‑established presence in the local farm economy, contributing both bulk crops and fresh food products to surrounding communities.

Field crops are an important part of Riverbend’s operation. The colony participates in independent canola variety trials, hosting plots that compare yield and disease resistance of different hybrids under local conditions, which helps refine seeding choices for both the colony and neighbouring farmers. This reflects a forward‑looking approach to grain farming, where Riverbend works with seed and grain companies to test new genetics in real‑world prairie environments.​

Riverbend is also known for its direct‑to‑consumer food sales. Every summer, members operate weekly markets in Turner Valley and Black Diamond, and also sell regularly at Speargrass Golf Course and on the colony itself. Shoppers can find fresh, colony‑grown vegetables (like spinach, kale, green onions, beets, peas, carrots, and corn on the cob), eggs, honey, homemade bread and buns, cinnamon buns, cookies, pies, pickled beans, sweet pickles, salsa, pizza sauce, and other preserves—typically picked or baked just before market day.​

Like other Hutterite colonies in Alberta, Riverbend organizes work and life communally: families share meals, worship, and labour across fields, barns, gardens, kitchens, and shops. This cooperative model allows the colony to run efficient, large‑scale farming while still offering very fresh, small‑batch products that highlight the care and craftsmanship of individual members. With its mix of prairie grain farming and vibrant market gardens, Riverbend Colony plays a distinctive role in connecting southern Alberta consumers directly with farm‑fresh food.