#FarmHerOntario: Grace Mullen
Did you know that 2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer? Join us throughout the year as we spotlight our #FarmHerOntario farmers to showcase the important role women grain farmers play in our food system. This month, Grace Mullen reflects on the variety of roles and skills she needs to manage while running a farm operation, along with the importance of growing grains.
I have a grain farming operation in Essex County, which is spread out across Leamington and Chatham-Kent. We primarily farm grains, so that includes corn, wheat, soybeans, but also occasionally canola.
Farming was a part of my DNA from a very young age. As an only child, I was very involved in the farm operation, with my dad encouraging me to learn everything there was about being a grain farmer. I’ve done all the jobs you could possibly imagine; driving equipment from a young age, learning the business side and how to manage farm operations. Even in just bookkeeping, there is a lot in just understanding how the markets work, when to sell and how to budget new equipment.
Now, I continue that work with my husband, who also comes from a farming background. We strive to take our family farms up a level for the next generation, and it’s a big part of our legacy that we want to pass on.
Running the farm is like being able to be a part of something greater than yourself, in terms of feeding the world because our grain goes to so many different areas of distribution not many people are aware of. It’s something that makes me proud to be a farmer.
Aside from farming, I compete at the International Plowing Match and get heavily involved in my local fair board, along with participating in several agricultural organizations. It’s a very important part of the community and helps bring agricultural education to the public.
For us, it all comes together in understanding that you want to be leaving the land better than you got it for the next generation. We are very open to trying new things and getting involved in experimenting with practices we can implement to make sure that our legacy carries on sustainably. It’s important to be very resilient as a farmer in today’s environment, so we always want to be very mindful with the things we do and make educated choices. Farming is about learning day by day and being open to trying new things for the future.
