Highlights
- Lydie manages the herd of nearly 300 cows and oversees 650 acres of crops.
- The farm and a passion for agriculture was passed down to Lydie from her mother, Hélène.
Not long ago, passing down a dairy farm followed a clearly mapped path: from father to son. But in Eastern Ontario, a different story unfolded for one family. Hélène and her daughter Lydie are two generations of dairy farmers, both sharing careers driven by passion. Their story reflects a reality that remains all too rare in the dairy farming world. But this farm transfer is more than a family affair: it reflects changes in succession, technology, and the rightful place of women at the helm of agricultural operations.
"In my father's and grandfather's mindset, it was only men who took over the farms,” said Hélène. “Passing this passion and love on to my daughter is an honour."
Shattering Myths and Proving Her Worth: Lydie’s Spark and Love for the Land
Today, Lydie manages the farm. Her herd is nearly 300 cows —including 130 milking animals—and she also oversees 650 acres of crops, growing hay, alfalfa, wheat, corn, and soybeans.
Nothing formally pointed to Lydie taking over the reins so quickly. While she was pursuing agricultural studies at McGill University, an unexpected turn of events altered her path.
"During my studies, my mother broke her heel. I came back to fill in for her on the farm for a semester," recalled Lydie. That temporary replacement was a revelation. "That’s when I realized that this was the work I wanted to do, the life I wanted to live.”
Establishing herself as the head of an agricultural business of this scale was not without hurdles. Prejudices die hard. "At first, people didn't believe me," Lydie said. "When visitors or suppliers arrived, they asked to speak to my husband. But my husband doesn't work with me! So then they’d ask, 'Well, what about your father?' I’d tell them, 'No, I'm the one you need to talk to.'"
Among the unique challenges women face in this sector, balancing family life with farm work stands at the very forefront. A mother of four, Lydie remembers the demanding years when her toddlers required all her attention.
"Work-family balance isn't always easy,” she said. “Especially when the kids were small, and I was breastfeeding, I’d run out to the barn, then head back to the house. Often, the farm comes first because that’s just how it is, but the kids followed the routine and developed that same passion. Today, all four of them love farming!"
Technology as a Catalyst for Equality and Balance
Managing a large-scale farm with hundreds of animals and acres requires technology. This also eases physical demands.
"In my day, everything was done by hand or with a wheelbarrow. We carried heavy milking units at arm's length," recalled Hélène.
"Before, we handled 20,000 small square bales of hay by hand and mixed silage with pitchforks,” said Lydie. Today, with mechanization, robots, and overhead rails to move equipment, the physical workload is significantly reduced."
This technological revolution does not just lighten physical effort; it also makes it easier to manage family life alongside farm duties. Lydie knows how precious this balance is. "Robots and efficient machinery mean that instead of spending five hours in the barn, it takes two. That lets you be home for dinner with the kids."
Inspiring the Next Generation
For both Hélène and Lydie, the idea that a woman cannot manage a dairy farm just as well as a man is a myth. Hélène points out that women have always been the invisible backbone of agricultural operations. "There's still a mindset that women are only good for the house and the kids. But women can own farms, manage businesses, and supervise employees. Women bring a personal touch and an attention to detail."
"Women are just as capable,” she said. “They excel, and sometimes they have to perform even harder to prove their worth to others. Women are managers, community builders, entrepreneurs, and guardians of food sovereignty."
For girls dreaming of a career in agriculture, both women have the same message: go for it. "Don't let yourself get discouraged. Stand tall, stay determined, and passion will do the rest," advised Lydie.
"Be yourself and achieve your dream,” added Hélène. “Doors will open. But never forget to make time for yourself and your loved ones, because time never comes back."
As the International Year of the Woman Farmer highlights women’s essential role in rural communities, Lydie emphasizes the deep meaning behind their daily commitment: "Behind every glass of milk, a woman producer is working with passion, resilience, and pride to provide a healthy, high-quality product for local families."
