Guy and Beth Choiniere
In Vermont, just a few miles from the Canadian border, tucked near Lake Champlain you will find the Choiniere Family Farm. The Choiniere Family Farm is currently owned and operated by Guy (pronounced ghee) and Beth Choiniere. In 1945 Guy’s grandfather purchased the farm and 40 cows and began milking. As years passed Guy’s father became the 2nd generation to operate the Choiniere Family Farm. In 1964 the family purchased a second farm a mile down the road. Even though the two farms are separated by only a mile, the terrain is entirely different. The original farm is full of steep hills making it the ideal location for cattle to graze. The second farm is more suitable for raising and harvesting all the feed for the cattle.

Tragedy struck the Choiniere family in 1974 when a fire broke out, burning the barn to the ground. Although the family was distraught, they decided to rebuild a 65 cow tie barn to continue the farming legacy.

When Guy graduated from high school he decided to continue the family tradition of farming, soon after he met Beth. The Choiniere’s have two children Mathieu and Hannah, rounding out their family.

On July 1, 2005 the Choiniere Farm shipped their first load of organic milk with Organic Valley. Click here for more information about this farmer owned cooperative. Converting from a conventional herd to an organic herd was a journey for Guy and his family. The first time Guy thought about organic farming was after a conversation he had with a neighboring organic farmer. Something he said struck a cord with Guy even though it was contrary to his methods of farming. Guy began attending meetings to learn about soil health with out commercial fertilizer and caring for you cows using herbs and alternative methods, he immediately began implementing these practices on his farm.

For Guy the bottom line is soil health. If your soil is healthy, you’ll have healthy crops and healthy cows. It took three years for the farm to transition to an organic dairy under the United States Department of Agriculture organic regulations.

Converting the farm to organic production provided Guy the financial opportunity to purchase the farm from his parents. Although his parents were a little unsure of the switch to organic, they supported Guy whole heartedly in his efforts.
 
Along the way there have been many tests, trials, triumphs and even losses. Transitioning to organic was one of the hardest journeys the Choiniere family farm has ever experienced but yet the most rewarding. Guy sums up his feelings by stating, “farming is all about instincts, talking care of your soil and knowing your animals. Instead of reading recommendations I’m “reading” my gut feeling. I wouldn’t change things for the world.”