Bastien

I took over the farm on April 1, 2022, following my father's retirement. Before that, I worked for four years as an accountant. The farm has 75 dairy cows that graze about 300 days a year, and a contract pig facility with 350 spaces. Anthony, a full-time employee, supports me with daily tasks. I involve him in performance monitoring and consult him on investment projects like the modernization of our buildings. However, I remain the final decision-maker. This autonomy and my entrepreneurial spirit motivated me to become a business owner—along with a dairy market that was becoming more favorable. I’m also deeply attached to the family farm, being the son and grandson of farmers. Our family has been a member of Even since 1967! When I started, I could have gone elsewhere, but I didn’t feel the need. Our Cooperative is rooted in the local area, which reassures me. Moreover, the Group is developing diversification activities that help strengthen the Cooperative’s financial health. I rely on the Board of Directors to ensure that our milk is properly valued in the coming years. I would like to see better compensation for milk composition criteria, as well as bonus opportunities based on quality standards. In my opinion, improvements in animal welfare and decarbonization are still not properly recognized by large retailers and consumers. To ensure the sustainability of Even’s farms and of our broader dairy region, we also need to keep encouraging young people to start farming, with available production volumes and a vibrant cooperative life. In that regard, I particularly appreciated the welcome day and the immersive “Bien dans ma Coop” experience, which opened up new perspectives for me.