Meet this octogenerian with a passion for beef cattle
by Patricia Grotenhuis
Passionate about her cattle, full of energy and enthusiastic about the agricultural industry, Sandy Grant is a farmer with a full schedule. She is also 85 years young and does the work herself.
Beef farmer Sandy Grant is the face of August in the Faces of Farming calendar
This energetic mother of nine and grandmother of 14 moved from the city to her Georgetown-area farm in 1971 with her family, and has had animals ever since. She admits the neighbours did not know what to think of her and her husband at first, but as time went on, relationships were formed and friends made.
“I always thought it would be nice to live on a farm. After years of having horses and ponies, I wanted to try something different so I bought my first four heifers in the early 1980s,” says Grant.
Because of her commitment to agriculture, Grant was featured as the face of August in the 2012 Faces of Farming Calendar published by the Farm Care Foundation. Her page was sponsored by Canada Beef Inc.
Heather Travis with Canada Beef said, “Sandy has such a unique story and vibrant personality, it was an easy decision to sponsor her for the calendar. As a busy grandmother, she resonates with consumers in her quest to provide nutritious food for the entire family.”
Grant keeps her cattle on pasture during spring, summer and fall months, and during heat waves makes sure they are in a pasture close to the house with plenty of shade so she can keep an eye on them. Her acreage is relatively small so she rents pasture land from a neighbour, and buys in the supplemental feed she needs for her animals.
Grant’s love for her cattle and the land is quickly evident while speaking with her. She takes pleasure in seeing her cattle healthy and comfortable on their pasture, and knowing that she is providing the best possible care for them.
“I love the cow/calf farm because I enjoy seeing a calf born safely and nursing, then seeing them (the calves) tear around the pasture. I hate it if one gets sick and dies,” says Grant.
Although running her farm is a big job, it is not enough to keep Grant away from volunteer positions. She has been the Peel-Halton Cattleman’s Association secretary since 1985, is on the Halton Agricultural Advisory Committee, is a director with the Halton Federation of Agriculture, and canvasses for cancer.
Grant’s cows calve during the spring and summer, so that calves are born on pasture. When the time comes for her calves to be sold, Grant goes to the sale and watches, wishing she could get feedback from the buyers on how the calves do after leaving her farm. “You get attached to these animals,” says Grant.
Not only is Grant attached to her cattle, she is attached to the land and her lifestyle. She refers to herself as “an old lady trying to live out a dream,” and is truly happy farming.
“I like being in the country. I’m the luckiest person in the world because I have trees and fields around me. I like the land and my cows,” says Grant.
Posted by Farm and Food Care on August 1st, 2012 :: Filed under Animal care,Beef cattle,Canada,Faces of Farming,Farm life,Misconceptions,Speaking out,Sustainability of the family farm
Tags :: animal care, beef, Canada, Canada Beef, Faces of Farming, Farmers
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