Jean-Guy Faucher
2011
The Faucher farm was founded in 1806 in Sainte-Marie de Beauce. Over a century and a half later, in 1966, Mr. Jean-Guy Faucher bought the farm from his father, Émile, beginning of the 6th generation of the Fauchers’ farm. He settled into the ancestral house with his wife, Rachel, and their four children, Luc, Louise, Guylaine and Chantal. Five years later, in 1971, Jean-Guy and Rachel’s last son, Serge, was born.
As for the herd when he took over, there were 12 cows and 8 replacement animals. There were also other animals on the farm, such as two sows, a horse and a few hens. In 1974, Jean-Guy decided to buy the first purebred Ayrshires that he thought were a good investment. In 1978, he registered with milk recording and, in 1982 with classification. Jean-Guy did these steps in order to improve the quality of his herd.
The year 1984 is very much engraved in the Faucher family’s memory. Early in the morning of April 15, fire broke out and completely destroyed the barn. With the precious help of community, Jean-Guy and his family rolled-up their sleeves and built a new farm.
During all those years of hard work, cultivating the land, feeding the more and more numerous cows and producing maple syrup, Jean-Guy transmitted his enthusiasm for agriculture to his sons. So in 1986, Jean-Guy and Luc formed a partnership, Jean-Guy Faucher et Fils enr. A year later, it was the arrival of the official Milk Recording, as well as their first participation at Expo Quebec. Finally, Serge joined this flourishing company of his father and brother in 1990.
We must also note that Jean-Guy was a member of the Etchemin Ayrshire Club for almost 25 years, five of which he was one of the Directors. Besides his multiple occupations at the farm, as a hobby, he took pleasure in hunting coyotes, foxes, partridges etc. in the woods and fishing trout at different locations, including the brook near the house.
Nineteen hundred and eighty-seven was the turning point. After a long 30-year career in dairy production, Jean-Guy bequeathed his shares to his sons who together formed a company. At this time, there were 30 cows and 40 replacement animals of Ayrshire breed. Despite this official transfer of responsibility, Jean-Guy remained active at the farm, advising his sons when he judged it appropriate.
Today, at the age of 75, Jean-Guy is pleased to continue working at the farm to help his sons of whom he is proud. Among his tasks, feeding the calves, giving hay to the animals outside and accompanying his grandchildren, Marina and Emrick, to the barn to transmit his love of the trade. Congratulations M. Faucher.