Meet farmer Brendan Byrne, a salt-of-the-earth kindda guy who took the time to help us celebrate Canada’s Agriculture Day on February 22, 2022, by telling Farms.com about himself, his desire to openly discuss mental health awareness, and just why he loves the farm life.
By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Photo supplied by Brendan Byrne
Brendan Byrne, 45, farms a combined 1,100 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat under the Byrne Brothers banner in Essex County, Ontario. And he’s all for making his farm a more climate-friendly environ for his family and future generations.
“I live just outside of Essex on our home farm with my wife and two high school age kids,” acknowledged Byrne to Farms.com in a recent interview, adding that all of his farms are located within the county.
He explained that he maintains an interest in sustainable and regenerative farming.
“It’s not necessarily an interest or pursuit, but a long time ago we adopted No Till or minimum till practices which we continue to practice on our farm,” Byrne said. “I think that ag can be part of the climate solution, and I would like farmers to be acknowledged for the work done in this area by not employing till farming or cover crops.”
Byrne explained that his love of the farm life has been ingrained in him since he was a child when he got to tag around with his dad and uncles during planting or harvesting or just go out crop touring.
“Eventually was able to get involved in a little bit more each year and eventually started managing the family farm about 17 years now,” Byrne revealed. “My dad said that the family had never really been able to attend the local ag meetings as they were busy during the day and he worked off farm.
“He encouraged me to get involved, and I’m really glad I did. The farmers in Essex have been so supportive—and it’s something I’ve seen across the entire province.”
Byrne’s daily work efforts are like most farmers: busier in the Spring and Fall doing the planting and harvesting.
Off season chores include planning the next season and becoming involved in the local Essex County Soil and Crop Association and with the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO).
He is currently the District 1 (Essex) Director for GFO, and is the Provincial Chair for the Board of Directors—positions he takes very seriously.
“I try to see the issues from all angles and try to speak up provincially for all of our grain farmers,” he said. “I’m incredibly proud of the organization, our members, our board, staff and my role in it all. I enjoy communicating with our members and with government on behalf of our members.”
“(However) I do like that farming has allotted me flexibility in my personal schedule at certain times of the year,” he explained. “I’ve been able to coach my kids’ teams—baseball, hockey, fast-pitch—and be present at their events, and things like that.
“I consider myself very fortunate to be in this industry."
Strangely enough, there was no grand plan to be a farmer as a youth.
Graduating from university, Byrne earned an Honours Business and Economics degree. “I knew I wanted to work in business but wasn’t sure where.”
After venturing off the family farm and dabbling with a few different opportunities, ag’s siren call pulled him back—and he’s glad it did.
“Although I was always encouraged to pursue my own path, it just so happened that that path led back to the farm,” Byrne revealed. “My father has been very supportive of me in this endeavour, for which I am incredibly grateful.
“Farming has been in our family for generations, and I believe strongly in legacy and keeping things better for the next generation.”
Farms.com asked him: If there was something you could say or do to encourage non-ag people to take a greater interest in the rural life (and its trials and tribulations), what would it be?
Byrne candidly responded that people should try and first find out for themselves some information on Canadian ag, but not just to gather data via Wikipedia.
“I want people to take it a step farther, and personally reach out to a farmer,” he said. “That can be in person at farmers markets, farm shows or just stop and see a neighbour if that applies. I think sometimes families may go apple- or blueberry-picking and maybe not always realize that’s a farm and the owners are farmers—you can ask them questions you may have about the food they grow. It can also mean reaching out online on your social media to ask any pertinent questions or even just watching Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime to see what it’s like trying to farm. Find ways to connect with who grows your food.”
[Ed. Note: Clarkson’s Farm is a British television documentary series on Amazon Prime Video. It follows TV personality, Jeremy Clarkson—original host of popular car show, Top Gear—who has no previous farming experience as he inanely attempts to run a farm in the Cotswolds, UK, dealing with the terrible weather, disobedient animals, unresponsive crops, and a pandemic.]
“Don’t just buy in to the current buzzwords around food production,” continued Byrne. “If you have questions, just ask. Truly some of the best people I’ve met in my life come from the farm. Salt of the earth people.”
As noted, Byrne is involved with the GFO, and his platform at both levels to discuss mental health issues within the ag community.
“Why? I don’t want others to learn about mental health the way that I did,” he acknowledged unabashedly. “Mental health issues have been in and around my family for quite a while, but these last few years have really brought things into focus.
“Losing a friend and having a wife who struggles with her mental health really highlighted for me how much work needs to be done,” he continued. “It’s one thing to ask others to reach out for help, but we need to have the right people and resources in place to really help.
“It’s come a long way in a short time, but we still have so much more that can be done.”
Well said.
Through the good times and bad, Byrne wouldn’t trade his life for any other.
“To me, the good life we have on the farm has been highlighted during this pandemic,” he explained. “To have open space outside our house and field to walk, to sit outside as a family and breathe in the fresh air. I cannot imagine what it is like living in a big city and not afforded the comforts of space we are able to take advantage of.
“I truly love what I do, and am incredibly proud and thankful to be a small part of this wonderful industry.”
That humble ag pride shines through with Byrne and his family.
“Whether you are in the industry or not, we all eat and thus share that connection,” he summed up. “No matter what sector we’re in or where we’ve been or come from, we all sit down and enjoy a good meal.
“Farmers play a big part in that.
“Recognizing the fact that Canadian agriculture produces some of the safest food worldwide is something we all should be proud of.”