2BK In The News
2BK Vegetable Farm is the 2022 Excellence in Agriculture award recipient
Farm fresh vegetables, hard work, local employment, and simple kindness are the ingredients for success at a Sturgeon County market garden.
2BK Vegetable Farm is a fast-growing success story of how Brian Brenneis and Karen Krachkowski combined their diverse talents and resources. Brian grew up helping at his family’s vegetable farm, he had growing experience, but Karen’s green thumb wasn’t as obvious. She was a former hairstylist, but she did own farmland near Namao.
Together they grew their business, and they were recently awarded the Excellence in Agriculture award from Sturgeon County for innovation and environmental leadership in the agricultural sector.
“We can’t believe it,” said Brian. “We’re just doing our thing. We’re having fun, and then we get this award. It brought a tear to my eye.”
2BK started selling produce grown on their farm six years ago at farmers’ markets. Today, loyal customers come to their farm near Highways 28 and 37 from June to October for 2BK’s wide selection of vegetables – everything from arugula to zucchini.
Brian and Karen are proud of their business that puts an emphasis on employing local youth and other community members. Ensuring a fair and safe work environment is important, and each season kicks off with a safety orientation day for staff emphasizing proper equipment handling.
Fun is also a key component of their business mixed in with the hard work.
“We have water fights, and we have mud fights,” recalled Brian with a laugh.
About 20 students ranging in age from 12 to 20 years worked in the fields this growing season, along with several adults. Their own children (Brian and Karen each have two) started out working on the farm in their younger years and now, in their early 20s, are starting to branch out with their own careers.
Treating people with respect is a cornerstone of 2BK, along with caring for the environment.
While the farm is not certified organic, 2BK does practise many of the philosophies without having to be officially regulated which can be an expensive undertaking.
“We don’t use a lot of sprays,” said Karen, noting that they prefer to hire youth to weed by hand.
A local cattle farmer also supplies manure as a natural fertilizer, and the farm is also exploring water recycling to conserve water.
“We’re just human beings that are trying to be kind and grow good, fair products,” said Karen.
The couple appreciates the community’s support over the years.
“We’re just doing what we love to do,” said Brian. “And at the same time, we’re helping the world, or maybe a small part of this city, to supply fresh vegetables. That’s what I like.”
Nominations for the Excellence in Agriculture award will be accepted starting December 1, 2022, until January 31, 2023.
Published Published on Oct 25, 2022
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮.. 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔!
We have tried our darndest to answer all the posts of congratulations on the Sturgeon County Award... we are blown away!
𝘛𝘏𝘈𝘕𝘒 𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘈𝘓𝘓!!
When we started this little venture we wanted to build a farm where the community would gather, friendships would blossom and we could feed the very souls of our community.
Little did we know that this dream would become a reality and we would be recognized for so much more.
First, Thank you to Sturgeon County for awarding our farm the Excellence in Agricultural award for innovation and environmental leadership in the agricultural sector. This is a huge honor and we are grateful for the recognition.
Although we are honored to accept this award we have a team of farmhands behind us that sew the seeds, plant the seedlings, and harvest every single vegetable, we cannot thank them enough. There are many hours that go into our labor of love and they are our 2BK Family.
Last, but not least, to all our friends, who have now become family- when you walk through our farm store, share our posts, and refer your community to us- THANK YOU. We could not be where we are without your continued support. When you shop our farm you truly are supporting our dream. Thank you for shopping locally!
We graciously thank everyone for their support as we absorb this great honor, as we tuck in for the winter days ahead we cannot wait to see what summer 2023 has in store!
Karen Krachkowski & Brian Brenneis
"𝘛𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢 𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸."- 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘳𝘺 𝘏𝘦𝘱𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯