Don Russel and his wife Joanne are first-generation dairy farmers here in the upper parts of the Ottawa Valley. The couple moved here 25 years ago to start a farm, simply because the cost of land was cheaper than most places in the province. Don tells myFM that it took 7 years before the businesses started to get established. The family has since expanded and grown the farm over the years, which has turned more profit as well. He goes on to say that he remembers when it was even hard to just get a bank loan to start, but mentions the hard work has paid off. Don says he and his wife work seven days a week, but like anything, if you love what you do, it’s never really work. Some days he’s a mechanic, a carpenter, and an electrician all at once. Living and working the farm life always means you have to take on more than one task at a time. When asked if he had any advice for other first-generation farmers, Don says to do the math. Look at three years worth of projections and focus on the areas that are more productive.
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