Food has always been an important part of my life for me and my whole family. I have spent my whole life being part of the farm and helping provide and sell milk, meat, fruits and veggies. But it wasn’t until I left the farm and went away to university that I really knew that I wanted to come back to the farm and become a farmer. Once I went away to school I realized how grateful I was for the amazing connection I had with the land by working on my farm. It’s that connection with the land and the environment that is really important to me. Growing plants and raising animals and working the land is very special. There is nothing like planting a seed, watching it grow over the season and then being able to enjoy it later on. It gives me a lot of satisfaction to see others enjoy the food I produce too.
I love working within the environment and nature to make my living. I am environmentalist who needs to be connected with the land. Being able to be connected with the land and with nature, and make a sustainable living is what makes me very proud to be a farmer. There is something to be said about the land and the crops it yields, and that is what is so intriguing about my job. That connection between the land, the environment it is surrounded by, and the final crop that comes from it.
My largest concern is the plants health and producing healthy crops for people to enjoy. But there is a funny change happening now, where people are more educated about food, yet are more detached from it. So I take it as my job to really understand the land I am working, and the crops and animals I am cultivating and raising, so people can trust that what they bring to their table is great quality food.
Producing food is my life, and providing fresh, quality, healthy food for my family and the public is of utmost importance in my life. It is how my family has always made a living and it is what provides our life. So food is life around here.
Alex McKay - Production Manager at Willowtree Farms