Celebrating our farm families this Family Day
We’d like to wish you a happy Family Day! Whether you’re together with your family or not this holiday, we hope that you find a way to enjoy this special long weekend. To help celebrate, we’re sharing photos and interviewing a few of our egg farm families. Did you know that many Ontario egg farmers work together with their families to keep the farm running? Farm life is a beautiful thing. Let’s hear what they have to say!
The Ottens Families
The Ottens families are first generation farmers and farm in Grey County, Ontario. Their hens produce both white and brown eggs in free run and free range environments. This family is very passionate about what they do! We asked them:
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF BEING AN EGG FARMER?
“Our favourite part is being able to work with family every day, doing something that you enjoy. We love going into the barns every day, walking through the birds, seeing them healthy and content.”
“It makes us feel good to know the work we put into caring for our hens allows them to produce eggs that can feed Ontario consumers.”
The Bos Family
Aric and Andrea and their three children are from Huron County, Ontario. Aric’s grandparents were the first in the family to begin egg farming, making Aric and Andrea 3rd generation egg farmers! They love what they do and are grateful to be able to work together as a family. We asked them:
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME AN EGG FARMER AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?
We love being able to provide healthy, quality food for people. We especially love knowing our eggs are enjoyed by consumers every day.
The Laver Family
Meet the Lavers, located in Northumberland County, Ontario. Ian grew up on an egg farm, making him a 2nd generation farmer. He feels passionate about the work that comes with the responsibilities of owning an egg farm. We asked Ian:
WHY DID YOU LOVE GROWING UP ON AN EGG FARM?
“Growing up on an egg farm was very special. I got to spend a lot of quality time with my family working on the farm and from a young age I learned a lot about work ethic and responsibilities. I hope to pass that experience on to our children as well.”
The Mulder Family
This is the Mulder family who farm in Grey County, Ontario. Lucas and Marloes involve their children in many of the farm tasks. We asked Lucas:
WHAT IS YOUR FARM’S HISTORY? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BE EGG FARMERS?
“While Marloes grew up on a farm and I worked on one, we were never farmers - this was something we came to later in life. After getting married, we both worked in an urban setting for seven years before we decided egg farming was what we wanted to do. We chose to become egg farmers because we felt that producing high-quality products, like eggs, for the people of Ontario was an interesting and challenging way to grow our business. Marloes now manages the farm on a day-to-day basis, while I maintain employment off-farm.”
The Vyn Family
Meet the Vyns! They’re first generation farmers in Kent County, Ontario. We were curious to know what made them want to be a part of egg farming.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME AN EGG FARMER?
“Being able to hold that egg in your hands that the hens you have cared for laid. It’s remarkable to know that you are producing a healthy, sustainable, safe and affordable food with such a great story behind it.”
WHO WORKS ON THE FARM AND WHAT ARE THEIR ROLES?
“Colin is responsible for caring for the hens and Nicole, the egg collection. During the spring planting season and fall harvest, Nicole and the kids run the entire barn as Colin is spending long days in the fields growing grain crops for feed.”
The Laviolette Family
The Laviolette family is from Prescott County, Ontario. Marcel is a second generation farmer of white, brown and Omega-3 eggs, as well as pullets! Marcel likes to involve his children in the chores and responsibilities that come with running a farm. We asked him:
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT RAISING YOUR CHILDREN ON A FARM?
"They learn slowly the notions of work, starting with small jobs. They learn that you can’t take everything for granted and that you need to work to get money for candies!"