International year of the Woman Farmer Interview: Lisa C

Lisa Cooper

Co-Owner, Coopers CSA Farm

Lisa Cooper is the friendly face behind Coopers CSA Farm. She connects directly with customers at farmers’ markets, in the on-farm store, and online, where she manages customer service and communications. Lisa is passionate about bringing high-quality, locally grown food directly to consumers and helping people feel connected to where their food comes from.

With a lifelong background in customer service and formal training in retail, Lisa brings years of experience in building relationships and creating welcoming spaces for customers and the community.

Lisa Cooper, holding the moon!

Lisa’s accomplishments and proud moments. She graduated from the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program; she also helped her family farm earn the Ontario and Canada's Outstanding Young Farmer Award in 2010. She was instrumental in founding the Uxbridge Farmers’ Market in 2000, where she served as Market Manager for more than 23 years.

Her proudest role is being a mom and raising two amazing children. Outside of the farm, Lisa enjoys movies, sporting events, playing cards, and spending time with friends and family.

What Does Your Identity as a Woman Farmer Mean to You?

For me, it’s about challenging traditional gender roles. It’s about being resilient and independent in an industry where women often have to work harder to be recognized. I try to bring a different perspective to our farming operation—and I think that’s something women contribute more broadly as well. We tend to approach things differently, and I believe there’s often a deeper connection to the land, to food systems, and to family legacy. That’s something I really value.

I also juggle a lot of different roles. I am a farmer, but that doesn’t just mean working in the field. My role includes being a business manager, a caregiver, a marketer, and handling human resources—among many other things. Just because I’m not on a tractor every day doesn’t make me any less of a farmer.

For me, identifying as a woman farmer is also about visibility. It’s important that people see and recognize that women are part of agriculture—that we belong here. I want younger generations to see that, to know we’re here, and to feel proud of it.

Why Do You Think the Farming or Agricultural Industry Is Designed to Favour Men?

Honestly, a lot of it comes down to history. This is how agriculture has operated for hundreds—if not thousands—of years. Farms have typically been passed down through male inheritance, and that legacy still shows up today. When you drive through the countryside, you rarely see signs that say “and Daughters”—it’s almost always “and Sons.” That kind of tradition has shaped who holds leadership roles and who owns the land.

Because of that, women’s contributions have often been overlooked or minimized—framed as “helping” rather than actually farming. Even beyond that, so much of the industry has been built with men in mind. Equipment, training programs, and agricultural systems have historically been designed around male farmers, which reinforces that imbalance

Can you expand on that, especially when it comes to policies?

When I look at policies, I notice the language first. For a long time, “the farmer” has almost always been referred to as “he” or “him.” It’s only recently that I’ve started to see more inclusive language—like “she” or “they”—being used in government spaces. But for the most part, policies still feel like they’re written with men as the default.

There’s an assumption built in that the farmer is a man whose primary responsibility is just the farm. But if you think about a woman in that same role, there are often additional layers to consider—like care giving and family responsibilities. Are those realities being factored into policy decisions? Are policies being designed in a way that makes it possible to balance both?

I don’t think they are, at least not consistently. Too often, it still feels like the system is built around one perspective—and that perspective is male.

How Long Have You Been a Farmer?

Steve and I got married in 1993, and for the first few years, I worked off the farm. I had my daughter in 1995 and my son in 1996, and after that, I went back to work until about 2001, when I was laid off.

Somewhere between 1998 and 2001, I officially became a partner in the farm—actually, I’m pretty sure it happened before I was laid off. And looking back, that mattered a lot. If your name isn’t on things, you’re not really considered part of it. I’m talking about everything—being on the deed, the mortgage, even something as simple as the utility bills.

I remember having to call about bills—hydro, phone, whatever—and if the account was only in Steve’s name, they wouldn’t talk to me. They’d say, “Sorry, we can’t give you that information.” And I’d say, “Do you want to get paid? Because I can promise you my husband isn’t the one sitting here handling the bills.”

Sometimes they still refused, and I’d have to call Steve over just to give permission for them to speak to me. I’d literally pull the phone away and yell, “Get over here—they won’t talk to me!” It was ridiculous.

Over time, it became more than just frustrating—it was aggravating. It really drove home how often women aren’t seen as equal partners, even within their own farms or households. That assumption—that I couldn’t possibly be part of the business—was something I ran into again and again.

So What Advice Would You Give a Younger Version of Yourself?

I would tell myself to believe in my knowledge and abilities right from the start. Don’t second-guess yourself. Don’t question whether you belong. You know what you know, you know what you want, and you know what you’re capable of—so trust that. Recognize your value early, and don’t wait for someone else to validate it. You already have a place in agriculture. You don’t need permission to be there.

I’d also tell myself to seek out other women and build a network. Find people who understand your experience. If you can, find a mentor—someone who can support you and help guide you. I didn’t grow up farming; I married into it, so my closest example was my mother-in-law. She worked incredibly hard behind the scenes—checking cows, helping with calving, doing all the things—but she still referred to herself as a farm wife, a housewife, a mother. She didn’t see herself as a farmer.

At first, I thought that was what my role would be too—but I realized pretty quickly that it didn’t have to be that way.

I’d also stress the importance of learning both practical farming skills and business management as early as possible. Steve and I both wish we had focused more on the business side sooner. It took us a few years to recognize that some of the ways we were operating just weren’t sustainable, and that we needed to make changes.

Even before I officially became a partner, I made a point of learning as much as I could. I learned how to drive a tractor, do tillage, and take on the jobs no one else really wanted to do. And that’s something I’d remind myself of too—never stop learning. Keep building your skills, keep educating yourself, and keep growing.

What Advice Would You Give a Young Woman Who's Entering into the Agricultural Industry.

Speak up and claim your expertise. You’re here for a reason, and you know what you’re doing—so own it. Don’t ever feel like you’re an outsider looking in. Get in the centre of the circle. Seek out women-led farming communities and support networks. That’s something I wish I had done more of when I was younger, but finding those connections early can make a huge difference. And don’t let stereotypes push you out of leadership roles—you belong there.

When I was starting out, I tried to find a mentor, and most of the people available were men. In meetings—whether it was beef farmers or broader Ag meetings—there’d often be fourteen guys and maybe three women. It can feel discouraging. That’s why it’s so important to build confidence in your technical skills, machinery, and financial decision-making. If a girl grows up in a farming family and is given the chance to learn those skills, she has a real advantage. You need to be able to do it all. Don’t just stay in the office or in a traditional “farm wife” role—get out in the field. Be part of the harvesting. And honestly? Leave the food meals in the field to someone else—call 967-1111 (AKA Uber Eats) and get pizza delivered!

I'm gonna go off script a little bit here…What would it look like to have parity in the sense of equality representation in agriculture. What would that look like to you?

It starts with more women in those spaces. Women bring perspective and insight that’s often missing. Men can get stuck in an echo chamber, doing things the same way over and over. Women can offer a different lens, spotting opportunities or challenges that might not otherwise be seen. Even at home, Steve often asks for my opinion because I see things from angles he just doesn’t consider.

Having more women at the table—whatever that table is—means better decisions, whether it’s harvesting, planning, or shaping policy. Women need to be represented everywhere agriculture is being directed. It’s not just about fairness—it’s about bringing alternate perspectives and mindsets that make the work smarter, more sustainable, and more inclusive. The industry thrives when everyone’s voice is at the table.

What Kind of Advice Would You Give an Immigrant Woman Who's Entering into the Canadian Farm Industry?

This one’s a bit harder, because I haven’t personally been an immigrant, so I can’t fully know the challenges they face. But what I do know is that learning about Canada and our agricultural systems is key. Understand the regulations, understand the climate—you can’t just assume you can grow whatever you want, whenever you want. Even with a greenhouse, there are limits.

It’s really important to connect with community organizations and farming associations. Having people you can bounce ideas off of—or learn from—makes a huge difference. Many community organizations can even help you get access to land or resources to get started, even if you’re not officially a farmer yet.

If you come from a farming background, value that knowledge and the traditions you bring with you. Your life experience is an asset—it can guide you and help you build your place here.

But I have to be honest: no matter what industry you’re in, women are often still treated as second-class citizens. It’s frustrating and disheartening. Things are moving too slowly, and right now, we’re going in the wrong direction in terms of equality. That makes mentorship, community, and support networks even more essential.

Steve & Lisa

Why Is Farming Important to You?

Oh, so many reasons! At its core, farming is about feeding communities and supporting food security—that’s a huge part of it. But it’s also deeply personal. I may not have the generational ties that some farmers do, but I have the personal connection because I’ve been doing this for years. Farming is a way of life, but it’s also a business. You can’t just farm for the sake of farming anymore—it’s too expensive. You have to run a good business while doing what motivates you, whether that’s feeding your community, supporting farmers’ markets, or welcoming people to your farm store.

Agriculture is also vital for local and rural economies. We employ a lot of young rural people who might not have other job opportunities. They can get to the farm easily, and don't have to rely on a ride to town, and the money they earn stays in the community. That’s important.

But beyond all of that, farming connects people—to nature, the seasons, and the land itself. For me, that’s probably the most important part. You become one with the land and one with the season. Mother Nature sets the rules, and no matter how much you want to control things, you can’t fight her. That connection—to the earth, to the rhythm of life—is what makes farming so meaningful.

What Do You Wish the Average Person Understood About What It Means to Be a Woman Involved in Agriculture and Farming?

I wish people understood that women in agriculture are owners, managers, and decision-makers. We’re not just “helping out”—this is our livelihood, our life, and a big part of what puts money in the bank. Farming requires business skills, technical knowledge, and leadership—not just physical labour. Just because I might not be able to take a tire off a tractor myself doesn’t mean I can’t guide someone through it. I bring technical knowledge and leadership to the table, and that matters just as much as the physical work.

Women also tend to carry more family responsibilities like running the household, and raising children alongside the farm. Then add to that the farm work of paying bills, managing payroll, keeping the books etc. Many young male farmers are more present with their children now, which is wonderful—but historically, that wasn’t always the case. Even so, women are still often mistaken as the farmer’s spouse rather than as farmers themselves.

We face bias and assumptions constantly. People assume a woman isn’t part of the farm unless she specifically says she is. But in my eyes, if a woman is living on a farm and raising a family there, she’s part of the farm—whether she’s behind the tractor or managing other critical aspects.

There’s also incredible diversity among women farmers. We come from all sorts of backgrounds, run different farm sizes, and produce different crops or livestock. Being a farmer isn’t just about driving a tractor. It could mean pulling dead chickens out of the barn, hand-tilling a CSA plot, or managing the finances. Farming looks different for everyone—but it’s all farming.

So my hope is that people open their eyes a little more and broaden their perspective. See women farmers for who we are and all the different ways we contribute. We’re out there, and we’re making a real impact.

There Was an Interesting Survey from 2023 That Found Many Women Struggle with Identifying Themselves as a Farmer. Why Do You Think This Is? 

Historically, women have been labelled as farm wives or helpers, even when we’re doing a significant portion of the work. That basically sums it up. Social expectations have long cast us as secondary to male partners or male family members—like the father is the farmer, and the daughter is just helping out. It’s all rooted in tradition, and those traditions still shape how women see themselves in agriculture.

We’re breaking through that glass ceiling, but it’s not easy. Women manage finances, marketing, and livestock—all critical parts of the operation—but those roles don’t fit the traditional image of a farmer, which is someone in a tractor in the field. Yet those are just as much a part of farming.

Representation—or the lack of it—also plays a big role. Media, leadership, and agricultural education have historically highlighted men. That affects how women see themselves in the industry. Ownership matters too. Some women struggle to identify as farmers until they own land or operate independently. For example, Steve and I farm together, so people often assume he’s the farmer and I’m the helper. But if I owned land independently, I would be recognized as the farmer. Even when ownership is shared, it can be hard for some women to see themselves as equal partners, because others may still view it as a “shared job” rather than a shared identity.

How Would You Define What a Farmer Is? 

To me, a farmer is anyone who tends livestock or farms the land—anyone who derives a living from animals or the land. A beekeeper? That’s a farmer. Someone who raises sheep for wool? A farmer. Growing 10,000 acres of soybeans? A farmer. Growing 300 feet of tomatoes? Still a farmer. Even raising racehorses counts. If you’re producing from the land or animals and making your living from it, you’re a farmer in my book.

Farming is hard work, and we need to be welcoming to everyone in the industry—whether you’re organic or conventional, working one acre or twenty thousand, raising eggs, chickens, or beef. It’s important to support each other, build community, and not get caught up in distinctions like size, method, or gender. I may not love every form of agriculture, but I make a point not to disparage any of it. We’re all part of the same community, and we all deserve recognition for the work we do.