International Women’s Day – Meghan Brosens

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role in the agriculture industry in Nova Scotia

My name is Meghan Brosens, I along with my husband and two daughters run the only Jersey Dairy in Cape Breton Island.  Last year we started our creamery; Skye Glen Creamery.  I do most of the processing and cheese making myself, while also working with the cows and raising my family.  I am not just a farmers wife but a farmer in my own right.  I get my hands dirty and and strive to be a good example for our daughters.  “May we be them, may we raise them”.

What is one message you would like to share about women in agriculture for International Women’s Day?

Women play a huge part in agriculture.  Don’t be intimidated because it seems like a male role, for many generations the women in my family have been equal partners and they can do anything they put their minds to.  I was blessed to watch my mum help out, she always ran the small square bailer, could pick up the milking and chores at any time, was a 4-H leader for many clubs (judging, dairy, sheep, beef mainly) and was even president of Jersey Ontario all while raising 6 kids.  My granny, born and raised in Glasgow was in the woman’s land army in WWII, stationed near my Grandpa’s farm, and that led her to staying in agriculture for the rest of her life.  Currently, all 5 of my sisters are involved in agriculture, 4 of them (including me) have their own dairies.  We can do anything we set our minds to!