Kleefeld, Manitoba

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Kleefeld is a small local urban district in eastern Manitoba, Canada. It sits in the Rural Municipality of Hanover and covers about 3.1 square kilometers. The community, which has a population of around 1,900 people, is nicknamed the Honey Capital of Manitoba and uses the motto Land of Milk and Honey. Many residents commute to nearby Winnipeg or Steinbach for work.

A brief history
Kleefeld began as Gruenfeld in 1874, the first Mennonite settlement in Western Canada. The area was originally land used by Ojibway-speaking Anishinabe people. In 1871, Anishinabe leaders signed Treaty 1, and later the East Reserve was created after Russian Mennonites were encouraged to settle in Canada. The Privilegium granted religious freedom, military exemption, private schools, and land.

Gruenfeld slowly changed to Kleefeld in 1896, named to avoid mail confusion with another Grenfell and in honor of a village in Russia. The original Gruenfeld village lay about a mile north of the current site and faded over time as people moved to nearby farms. The village officially declined by the early 20th century, and its few remaining buildings were moved or repurposed. In the following decades, Kleefeld grew around new businesses and services, including a post office, a cheese factory, and various shops. The post office eventually moved to J.R. Schellenberg’s store, helping cement the Kleefeld name.

Recent years
Kleefeld was organized as a local urban district within Hanover in 2022. It remains home to many Mennonites, but has welcomed families from other backgrounds as well. The community is close to Winnipeg and Steinbach, so many residents commute to work.

What you’ll find today
- Amenities: a grocery store and a hardware-convenience store with an ice cream shop in summer, both historically tied to J.R. Schellenberg’s family (sold to the Brothers Group in 2013).
- Economy: local industries include woodworking, cabinetry, farming, sauna sales, and large diesel repair.
- Recreation: a central park with tennis courts, a playground, baseball and soccer fields, a hockey rink, and a large skating oval that becomes a skate park in summer.
- Education: a K–9 public school (about 450 students around 2009–2010).
- Services: a volunteer fire department.
- Community event: Kleefeld’s Honey Festival is held on the second weekend of August.

Today, Kleefeld blends its historic Mennonite roots with a growing, diverse community while maintaining its small-town charm.