Our Story: The Family Behind Straight Arrow Farms

Behind every bar of soap and every candle at Straight Arrow Farms, there’s a small farm in northern Alberta, a husband-and-wife team, and a herd of miniature goats with plenty of personality.

We’re Amber and Doug, the people behind Straight Arrow Farms in Barrhead County. We’re farmers and makers, and we love creating things that bring a little comfort and enjoyment to everyday life. If you’re new here, welcome. We thought it was time to introduce ourselves beyond the label.

In loving memory: the family who helped make our farm possible

Our farm’s story is also a family story. We can’t tell it without remembering our parents and honouring their places in our lives.

Doug’s dad passed away in October 2012. The estate we inherited from him made it possible for us to afford our farmstead. His legacy helped give us the opportunity to build this life, and we will always be grateful. He is deeply missed, and we wish he could be here to share in the journey he helped make possible.

Our plan was for my mom and dad to move with us from the East Kootenays in British Columbia to Alberta, where they would have a place to retire in comfort. We wanted them both here with us, sharing this next chapter of our lives. Unfortunately, those plans were delayed when my mom became ill. She tragically passed away from brain cancer in early February 2013. We purchased our 80-acre property in late February that same year, but she never got to make the move with us.

My dad moved with us to Alberta. When we purchased the property, there was a house, a shop, and a perimeter fence. There were no other structures or cross fencing. So much of what would make this place a farm still had to be built.

Dad helped us build it from the ground up. He was part of turning a property with so much work ahead of it into the farm we know today. His help is woven into our story, and Straight Arrow Farms would not be the same without him.

My dad passed away in 2023 at the age of 87. As we share what we make and the life we’ve built here, we want both our dads’ places in that story to be remembered. One helped make purchasing the farm possible; the other helped us build it. This farm is part of their legacies, too.

We also remember Doug’s mom, who passed away long before our farm journey began. Though she never got to share this chapter with us, she holds a special place in our family’s story.

We are forever grateful, and we carry the memory of our parents with us as our journey continues. They are loved, deeply missed, and always part of our story.

It starts here, on the farm

Our miniature goats are a big part of daily life. They’re curious, spirited, occasionally ridiculous, and very good at making sure there’s never a dull moment.

They’re also part of what makes our soap personal. We use fresh goat milk from our own herd in our goat-milk soap line. Raising the goats ourselves keeps us connected to an ingredient we work with every day, from caring for the herd to making the next batch.

For us, the farm isn’t just a name on the packaging. It’s where we live, work, and make.

From a batch of soap to something more

Straight Arrow Farms began with a simple idea: make products we could feel good about using ourselves, with ingredients chosen thoughtfully and care put into the work.

What started with goat-milk soap has grown to include tallow creams, lotions, scrubs, bath products, shampoo and conditioner bars, and wood-wick candles. Our regular soap line combines goat milk and tallow, and we also make palm-oil soaps on request.

The collection has grown, but we’re still the people behind it. We make our bath, body, and home products in small batches here on the farm, and we’re involved in the details, right down to labelling and packing orders.

Everyday things, worth enjoying

We don’t think a product has to be complicated to feel special. Sometimes it’s a bar of soap in a scent you look forward to using. Sometimes it’s a cream you reach for after washing your hands, or a wood-wick candle you light when the day finally slows down.

Those small moments are what we have in mind when we make our products. Practical things can still have personality, and everyday routines deserve a little enjoyment.

We care about what goes into each batch, how the finished product feels, and giving you clear information about what you’re choosing. Different people have different preferences, so we encourage you to explore the ingredient lists and scent descriptions to find something that suits you.

A small business with real people behind it

When you support Straight Arrow Farms, you’re supporting the work of the people who make and pack your order. There’s a real farm behind the name, and real people who appreciate every purchase, kind message, and recommendation to a friend.

Whether you discovered us at a market, received one of our products as a gift, or found us while looking for Alberta-made goods, we’re glad you’re here.

Thank you for making room for a little piece of our farm in your everyday life.

Take a look around, find a favourite scent, and get to know what we make. You can learn more about us on our About Us page.

With thanks,
Amber & Doug
Straight Arrow Farms