The following is the second article in a series on local agriculture. If you know a local farmer who may be interested in being featured, please reach out sara@lakesideleader.com.

On a farm, there is no clocking out. The work follows the seasons, the weather, the animals and the land itself. For the Plante family, farming is more than a livelihood — it is a way of life woven across generations.

The Plante’s have been raising Limousin beef in Kinuso for four generations.

Leonel Plante represents the third generation of Nor-Alta limousin, while his children Emily, Mackenzie and Samuel make up the fourth. Though Leonel is a millwright by trade and spent years working away from home, he says farming has always been a part of him. His wife, Lacy, previously worked as an animal health technician, bringing another set of valuable skills to the operation.

For Mackenzie, one of the biggest misconceptions people have about farming is just how relentless the work can be.

“It’s hard work, never ending work. You don’t get a day off. Not like a job,” she says.

Still, the family says there is freedom in the lifestyle. Farmers set their own hours and answer to themselves, not a supervisor. But that freedom comes with responsibility, sacrifice and long days that often stretch far beyond sunrise and sunset.

Over the years, farming has taught the family many lessons, but to Emily, patience stands out above all else.

“You can’t do it alone. You need help,” Leonel says. “Unless you’re just going to have chickens, it ends up being a lot of work for one person.”

They explain that every season brings different demands and challenges, making teamwork essential not only within families but across the agricultural community.

The Plantes also acknowledge the growing barriers facing young people who dream of entering agriculture today. Leonel says he is not sure they could have started from scratch in the current economy.

“If I didn’t have what the past generations had, I wouldn’t have been able to start something,” he says. “Things are too expensive.”

The rising cost of land, equipment and cattle has made farming increasingly difficult for newcomers. The family notes that the average age at local auction marts now sits around 60 to 65 years old — a statistic they say should concern everyone.

“We need young people at the auction mart,” Leonel says.

Without younger generations stepping into agriculture, the future of food production could become uncertain.

“It’s going to be slim,” Leonel says. “We’re going to run out of hamburger.”

While beef prices continue to rise, the family believes opportunities still exist for determined young farmers willing to learn and work hard. One possible solution, they say, is mentorship between retiring farmers and younger people trying to get started.

“If a young person could find someone looking to retire to mentor and team up with, lots of older people might do that,” Leonel explains. “People who have worked hard their whole life don’t want to see that hard work go to waste if they don’t have someone to pass their farm down to.”

The Plante’s say there is no single formula for success in agriculture.

“Not all farms are the same. There’s no cookie cutter farm,” Leonel says. “That’s what makes farming so interesting.”

According to the Plantes, every operation is different, shaped by the land, the people and the resources available. Success does not always depend on shiny new equipment or large-scale operations.

“You can farm with auction sale equipment and still be profitable,” Leonel says

Samuel points out that modern farmers often need a wide range of practical skills beyond simply raising livestock or crops.

“To be profitable, you have to be a mechanic,” he says. “And an electrician, a plumber, and a carpenter.”

For the Plante family, farming is not just about producing food. It is about resilience, adaptability and carrying forward generations of knowledge while preparing the next generation to do the same.

Though the future of agriculture may come with uncertainty, multi generational farms like that of the Plantes maintain hope for the future.

Sara Driedger
Lakeside Leader