About Us

Based in Manitoba, the heart of Canada, we are creators of premium and sustainable plant-based garden mulch, animal and pet bedding, and decorative inspirations. Our customer focus, creativity, and unique processes, results in inspiring products that are unmatched in cleanliness and distinctive in function and feel.

2011

Year HealthiStraw was founded

100%

Family owned and operated

4

Uniquely crafted product lines

6,350+

Retail locations offer our products

Our Team

Alvin Villegas

Continuous Improvement Manager

Andrea Doerksen

Controller

Arnold Valger

Plant Manager

Cabrel Brémault

Marketing Specialist

Deanna Braun

Marketing Manager

Jamie Warkentine

Marketing Associate

Nicole Kehler

Production Coordinator

Stephanie Johnston

Administrative Assistant

Tess Doerksen

Human Resource, Health & Safety Coordinator

Vince Braun

Founder, President & CEO

"We imagine a world where everyone homesteads, whether it's growing a small tomato plant in a pot on a downtown balcony, caring for a first-time pet, or managing a full-fledged homestead with gardens, orchards, and numerous animals. A world, full of color and life, where we are connected to the earth, for the health of ourselves, our families, our communities, and the earth itself."

— Vince Braun // Founder, President, CEO

California, USA

Cass Smith's Story

See how Cass lives life in color!

Manitoba, CAN

Katie Unger's Story

Hear about Katie's passion for raising "Healthi" animals!

What Makes Us Unique?

3 simple yet important factors

100% Non-GMO Wheat Straw: We use 100% wheat straw, ensuring consistent look, color, and quality—you always know what you’re getting! Unlike many other companies that use a mix of straw types such as wheat, barley, and oats, which vary in quality, we are committed to providing you with the best quality wheat straw products on the market.

 

Beyond Chopped Straw: Our process goes beyond simply chopping the straw. While other companies may just chop, remove some dust, and package it, we take additional steps. We cut, split, and bend the straw before meticulously removing dust, dirt, seeds, and other impurities. This results in a cleaner, higher-quality product.

 

Specialized Focus: Our entire company is dedicated solely to wheat straw products. This specialized focus allows us to excel in what we do and maintain the highest standards.

About Our Process

100% All-Natural & Additive-Free

  • Proprietary multi-step processes for each product

 

  • Cut, split and bent to maximize absorbency, softness and fluffiness

 

  • All-natural, additive-free cleaning process to remove dust, dirt, seeds and other impurities

 

  • Clear, clean packaging that highlights the product and our commitment to quality

Frequently Asked Questions

What does sustainability mean to us?

Sustainability generally refers to sourcing raw materials responsibly, in a way that does not deplete the resource or harm the earth. Here’s how we live out this principle:

 

Local Sourcing: All of our wheat straw is sourced from local farmers, mostly within a 100km (60 mile) radius of our facility. This minimizes the transportation distance between us and the farmers’ fields.

 

Fair Compensation: We ensure that the farmers with whom we partner are fairly compensated.

 

Transforming a Byproduct: Wheat is primarily grown for its berries (seeds), leaving the straw as a waste product. While some straw is reincorporated into the soil to add organic matter, there is normally an excess. We repurpose this surplus straw, giving it new life and helping others instead of letting it go to waste.

 

Sustainable Harvesting: Wheat is an annual crop, so we are not depleting the earth’s supply. We harvest that what is being grown, nothing more!

 

Partnering with Farmers: Our sourcing practices include engaging with farmers and suppliers to understand their growing practices. This ensures the long-term health of the soil and the environment.

Where do we source your wheat straw?

We source all our wheat straw from local farmers in the heart of the Canadian Prairies, Manitoba, with most of our suppliers located within a 100 km (60 mile) radius of our facility.

Are all HealthiStraw Products Non-GMO?

Yes, they are all Non-GMO! All our products are 100% wheat straw and sourced locally from the Canadian prairies, where all wheat grown is non-GMO

Are HealthiStraw products free of herbicides and pesticides?

We all share a fundamental desire for good health, which often translates into a conscious effort to steer clear of harmful chemicals in the products we bring into our lives. Creating products that prioritize all our safety and well-being is important to us.

 

Our rigorous testing protocols ensure that each product meets stringent safety standards. We personally use these products and extend your concern for safety to gardens, pets, animals and us alike. While our products may not carry the certified organic label due to numerous issues found in the quality of certified organic wheat straw, rest assured that our testing procedures are thorough.

 

Collaborating closely with farmers, we ensure that the wheat straw utilized in our products undergoes thorough inspection for cleanliness. While we cannot guarantee that our products are absolutely 100% free from the smallest trace of chemicals, our regular testing consistently yields results either on par with certified organic straw or detecting one or two chemicals at the lowest measurement possible, well under any acceptable government standards for food products.

 

Our commitment is to provide you with the safest and cleanest products that will perform for you at the highest levels.

What’s the difference between all HealthiStraw products?

Each product is uniquely designed and processed to meet its intended purpose.

 

FarmStraw Fine: Shortest cut length for maximum absorption and softness.

 

FarmStraw Coarse: Longest cut length, providing good absorption, fluffiness, and excellent insulation/warmth.

 

EquineStraw: Mid cut length for high absorption, comfort and softness.

 

PetStraw: A blend of multiple straw lengths, offering maximum absorption, odor control, and fluffiness for nesting, and tunneling.

 

GardenStraw:  Long cut length for ease of application, moisture retention and weed suppression. Undergoes enhanced seed filtration and will stay in place without tackifiers.

Introduction

Community Involvement

Engaging with the community and making a positive difference whether close to home or beyond South-Eastern Manitoba, is at the heart of what we do. As our vision states, we imagine a vibrant, colorful world where everyone homesteads, embraces simplicity and lives in harmony with the earth. In order to help people achieve this goal, we believe that as a business, we have a role to play!

Here are some of the fantastic organizations with whom we are honored to partner. Click the arrow to learn more about these inspiring organizations and the amazing impact they have on our communities.

FarmStraw

Kismet Creek Farm

“Our goal is to rescue animals from neglect and abuse, providing them with security and lifelong care. We strive to foster compassion and respect for all species, while encouraging an appreciation of our natural world. We believe people are healthiest and happiest when they are enjoying the simple pleasures in life, and think quality family time should be affordable and accessible for all. Connecting animals with people in a welcoming, comfortable setting all year round is what Kismet Creek is all about.”

– Karl // Owner & Operator

GardenStraw

Scatters Mission

At Scatters Mission, they envision a thriving community where everyone has access to fresh, locally grown produce. 100% of their farm-fresh vegetables are donated, which represented 4,500 pounds of produce distributed to seven local food banks in 2023!

“Thanks for all you’ve [HealthiStraw] done. It’s a game changer for our gardens!!!! You have made such a difference in the work we do! Thanks again!”

– Candy // Founder

GardenStraw

Port Perry Care & Share Community Permaculture Garden

Port Perry Care & Share Community Permaculture Garden is a small volunteer run, community garden that grows a variety of nutrient dense vegetables including many varieties of tomatoes, peppers, beans, cukes, zukes, squash, herbs and greens, all planted with food sharing in mind. 90% of what they grow is given to a nearby apartment whose residents face food insecurities daily.

“We LOVE it! What a superior straw mulch! We can’t thank you enough! I love how silky it is and how shiny it is in the sun! …  Your generosity makes such a difference to our harvests!!”

– Mag // Volunteer 

GardenStraw

San Diego Seed Swap

What’s the San Diego Seed Swap all about? It’s simple – San Diego gardeners sharing a love for gardening. The event organizers, Cass and Tina, strive to foster vibrant green spaces while growing food and community one seed at a time. They love to connect local gardeners with each other through social media, free in-person swap events and community service opportunities.

“We are incredibly grateful. Thank you again for choosing to support our community! The product was gone within 30 minutes of the Gather+Grow event starting…that’s a record for us!”

– Cass & Tina // Event Organizers

EquineStraw

RCMP Musical Ride, Manitoba Stampede

In 2024, the Manitoba Stampede had the honor of welcoming the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride, which first took place in Regina in 1887. This event showcases the equestrian skills of 32 cavalry members who are currently in the force. The Musical Ride continues to hold events across Canada and around the world to promote the RCMP.

“Thanks again for your support of our event and for helping bring the RCMP musical ride to the Manitoba stampede!”

– Matt // Fair Director of MB Stampede