John McCart is one busy farmer.

In addition to serving on the Quebec Farmers’ Association’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee since 2004, McCart is also a father of three, the main workforce on his dairy farm in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, and has been the UPA president of the Argenteuil English syndicate since 1999.

“I like to keep my nose in things,” he laughs as he admits why he is so involved. He likes to know when things are happening and the process behind them. “Farm politics also really interest me,” says McCart. “It’s part of the reason why I got involved with the QFA Board.”

Following his graduation from the Diploma program at Macdonald College, McCart began working on his father’s farm and by 1990 he decided to join the partnership to become more involved in the decision making. “It is a lot easier to work with somebody than it is to work for somebody,” he admits. Since 1998, McCart owns the 35-cow dairy farm with his wife, Darlene.

The third generation farmer admits that the life of a dairy producer involves some sacrifices such as very little time off and needing to be home by 4:30 p.m. all the time. “It’s good to be your own boss and to make decisions, but there is a definite cost to the family.”

Despite these personal challenges, McCart admits that dairy farming is truly what he prefers.

But then there’s also the challenges brought on by the industry. “It’s really discouraging when farmers work as hard as they do and because of something that happened somewhere else, they get poor prices for their product or there is no market to sell to,” he says. “But, under supply management farmers can still hold their own.”

Among his visions for the QFA, McCart hopes to see membership increase. “The English community has a lot of respect in and outside of Quebec. Other organizations recognize us as leaders with something to say,” McCart states. And increased membership could only improve this situation. “The more support we have, the more we can give back to our members.”