On October 15th, Farmers' Day is celebrated, a day to honor women in agriculture. Susan Mahieu is one of them. Together with her husband, she manages Deblock & Mahieu farm in Hollebeke. Amidst the daily operations of the farm and animal care, Susan is also a mother to young children. This combination is not always easy but brings her great satisfaction.
At their farm, there is always activity. Susan and her husband care for approximately 130 dairy cows and 80 head of young cattle. They also grow crops such as potatoes, sugar beets, and fodder beets. The work follows the rhythm of the animals and the seasons, meaning there's no pause button when the children need attention.
For Susan, motherhood and being a farmer constantly intertwine. While there's always work to be done on the farm, the children also need their mother. This requires planning, switching gears, and sometimes simply being flexible. Yet, this very combination makes her life special.
The variety is what Susan values most about farm life. Caring for the animals, working the land, and following the seasons ensure that no two days are exactly the same. However, it is also a demanding profession, as the animals and the work do not stop at the end of a workday.
Susan derives great satisfaction from her work, particularly from the bond with the animals. The cows know the daily rhythm and recognize the people who care for them. This connection makes the hard work worthwhile.
Susan believes it's important for her children to grow up on the farm. They learn firsthand where food comes from, how animals are cared for, and how much work goes into a farm. She is well aware, however, that combining a farm with a young family is a constant search for balance, as both require significant time and attention.
It's sometimes a puzzle, but it's also a way of life filled with love. The children are part of the farm, just as the animals and the land are part of their daily lives.
Susan hopes that young people will continue to find their way into agriculture, perhaps through agricultural training. Despite challenges like changing regulations and environmental measures, she believes there is still much beauty to be found in the profession.
On Farmers' Day, Susan and all other female farmers are highlighted. These are women who not only support the agricultural business but often also raise a family. Susan Mahieu does it every day: caring for her cows, working the land, expanding the business with her husband, and being there for her young children. A life where work and family literally come together on the same farm, demanding hard work and great responsibility, but above all, a life where Susan visibly invests her heart.
