Who We Are

Joseph M. Stern Company is a fourth-generation family-owned raffia importer, founded in 1915 and currently operated by descendants of founder Emil Elder.

We do one thing: import natural raffia grass directly from Madagascar. Duck hunters use it to conceal blinds. Crafters use it for weaving and floral work. Bars and event venues use it for tiki and tropical decor. Paintballers use it for ghillie suits. The material is the same — 100% natural raffia palm fiber, sourced from the same region we've been buying from for over a century.

Our competitors source from Asia and South America or sell synthetic grass outright. They do it to cut costs. The trade-off is quality — and for duck hunters, it's performance. Synthetic materials reflect UV light that ducks can see. Lower-grade raffia from outside Madagascar is thinner, more brittle, and breaks down faster.

We've never needed to cut those corners. A direct relationship with Madagascar since 1915 and a small team with no overhead means we sell the best product at the lowest price per pound in North America. No middlemen. No corporate layers. No compromises.

Three generations built this company on affordability, quality, and doing things simply. We're not planning to change that.