The Philippot Family – A Dairy Legacy in Manitoba

Showcasing the contributions of Canadian dairy farmers in the building and growth of our country, the book was created in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Canada. The book traces the emergence of dairy farming in each of Canada’s provinces through the personal stories of a family of dairy farmers who have been farming for many generations.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a dairy farmer – farming is my passion,” says Alain Philippot. “I learned from my father, and he from his father, how to take care of the land and to keep it healthy so it can be passed down from generation to generation.”

Alain, along with his wife Michelle, is a third generation farmer who milks 68 cows at Philippot Farms. The dairy industry developed in St. Claude due to some misfortune in the 1930s, namely the Great Depression and a terrible drought. No crops would grow because of the drought but the grass that grew like weeds turned out to be great for feeding cows. Armed with a new barn purchased before the Depression hit the community hard, Alexis Philippot leveraged the barn and the new grass to invest in cows, and subsequently, dairy. His family has never looked back.

“By feeding the country in a sustainable way, Canadian dairy farmers have withstood the test of time, from even before Confederation, to produce Canadian quality milk,” said Wally Smith, DFC’s President. “I am honoured to introduce the Philippot family, whose story shows a great love for dairy farming, and a deep sense of community.”

To read the Philippot family and Philippot Farms full story, please visit www.dairyfarmers.ca for a PDF version of the book.