The Rural Voice, 2002-04, Page 42For Bethanee Jensen farming has changed from being a
sideline to her fulltime occupation. She adds value to
her wool production by having the wool cleaned, spun
and woven into blankets.
38 THE RURAL VOICE
Going full time
Losing her job was the nudge
Bethanee Jensen needed to move
farming from a part-time to a
full-time occupation
Story and photos by Bonnie Gropp
Sometimes the right decision is made for us. Bethanee
Jensen moved to a farm, just outside of the northern
Huron County hamlet of Belgrave in November of
1993. An accountant by trade she had grown up on a farm
and loved the rural way of life. Her employment allowed
her to indulge this desire and she started her little
agricultural sideline with 19 ewes and a ram.
Admitting that as a single female she is a bit of an
anomaly in the livestock industry, Jensen says, "Back in
my 20s I decided the only way I could afford a farm was to
make money so I got my accounting degree. You might say
it was kind of like going from point A to C to get to B."
Then on January 20, 2000, she lost her job and made the
decision to not return to the 9-5 world. "The intention all
along was to be a full-time farmer. Losing my job helped to
spur on the timing."
With her severance, unemployment and a government
self-employment benefit Jensen was able to take the
necessary steps to get her farm operating as a full-time
venture. "When I was working (the operation) was as big
as I could have it and handle a full-time job. I needed to get
bigger to financially support myself so that money helped
to bridge the transition period."
Today, at Shepherd's Fold, she sells registered purebred
Dorsets, and having been in "expansion mode" for the past
year hoped to have the number increased to 200 by last
month.
The reason for choosing sheep, says Jensen, may not
have been as practical as some. It was less about the
bottom line than enjoyment. "I love sheep and working
with them," she says.
Admitting that she had a good deal to learn about the
sheep industry and for that matter is still learning, Jensen
says the first lambing was the most challenging time. "I
had no idea what to expect. I took sheep management
courses for two winters before I even got the sheep, but
textbooks don't prepare you for the reality."
Jensen says she can still remember the first lamb she
pulled out by herself. "It was quite a scary experience, but
mom and lamb were fine." Time and experience have a
way of altering perspective, she says, adding, that now,
when assisting Mother Nature with a birth, she doesn't
even think about it.
Sleep was a rare commodity that first year, too, says
Jensen. "That first lambing season I would stay up all
night. Now I see them at 11 and say goodnight unless