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Why Brandon Goodine chose life on the farm over a career in trades—and has never looked back

This is part of a series of profiles of young egg farmers. They are all young leaders taking part in Egg Farmers of Canada’s national young farmer program, an initiative designed to prepare the next generation of industry leaders.

Brandon Goodine

Bear Island, New Brunswick

Brandon Goodine never thought he’d end up back on the farm. Growing up in Bear Island, New Brunswick, a tight-knit rural community with deep Acadian roots, he was surrounded by family and farming from the start. “After school, we’d head to the egg grading station where we’d be babysat,” he recalls. “It was always part of my life.”

But like many in his generation, Brandon wasn’t sure there was a future in farming. Most of his brothers and cousins pursued trades, and he followed suit, earning a diploma in instrumentation and controls from New Brunswick Community College. He started working at a local paper mill, using his training in automation and industrial systems, until something within him started to quietly shift.

“The more I matured, the more I realized I could play a serious role in helping the farm succeed for the next generation,” says Brandon. With that clarity, he began leading the family’s succession plan, eventually stepping away from his industrial job to return full time to Goodine Farms.

Now, Brandon is managing the poultry operations on the multi-generational farm, which has been in the family since the 1940s when his great-grandfather first established it.

Today, several relatives play essential roles running the 400-acre farm. Brandon’s father, Steve, oversees egg gathering and helps with the beef operation. His uncle Chris manages the grading station and egg sales at the local farmers’ market. Brandon’s brother Brody takes care of daily chores in the dairy barn, while several cousins help out during busy times. Brandon also works closely with his great uncle Edward, who manages the farm’s dairy barn.

In 2023, Brandon spearheaded the construction of a new barn, incorporating a manure drying system to improve storage and field application—just one example of the small but impactful ways he’s helping modernize the operation.

What drew him back to the farm wasn’t just family loyalty, but also a deep appreciation for the meaningful role farming plays in the food system. “It doesn’t matter what the product is,” he says. “I love the responsibility of producing healthy food for Canadians. That is what fuels my tank.”

He finds particular satisfaction in the technical side of egg farming—mixing feed, caring for his hens and managing his barn with enriched colony hen housing. It’s a fast-paced life, but one he thrives in. “There’s always something new to build, fix, or improve. I like that,” he says.

Brandon’s involvement in the industry is growing as well. He joined Egg Farmers of Canada’s national young farmer program to better understand the system and connect with others who, like him, are shaping the future of Canadian egg farming.

When he’s not on the farm, Brandon volunteers as president of the beef cattle show at the New Brunswick Provincial Exhibition, welcoming exhibitors from across the Maritimes each September.

He’s also the proud father of a three-year-old daughter, with another child on the way. His daughter already loves visiting the hens and collecting eggs. “She fills her pockets up with them every day,” he says with a laugh. “We’ll leave it up to her, but I’m hopeful she might want to take over one day.”