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Windy Bay Farm Ltd: How these first-generation farmers are bringing fresh energy to Nova Scotia’s egg sector

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.

Stewart Yuill

Truro, Nova Scotia

As the owners of Windy Bay Farm Ltd in Truro, Nova Scotia, Stewart Yuill and his wife Tiffany are relatively new to the egg sector. But for this couple, agriculture runs deep.

Both Stewart and Tiffany grew up farming and met while studying agriculture at what is today Dalhousie University’s Agricultural Campus.

“I grew up on a dairy farm, and after graduation, I started working as a technician at the university’s ruminant animal centre—it’s a teaching and research farm with dairy cattle and sheep” says Stewart. “It fulfilled my passion for a while, but it just wasn’t the same as owning my own farm. It was Tiffany’s idea to apply for the Egg Farmers of Nova Scotia New Entrant Program in egg farming, and that’s what got us started.”

Their application to the program, intended to help new egg farmers get a start in the sector, was successful, so they purchased and renovated an unused egg barn just 10 minutes away from their home. In 2020, they welcomed their first flock of hens, which they house in a free run housing system.

Starting an egg farm while raising young children would be a challenge for anyone. At the time, Stewart and his wife had a two-year-old and a newborn. Now, they’re raising four children—ages 7, 5 and 3-year-old twins—while also expanding their agricultural pursuits.

“We recently bought another farm across the road to help us diversify and reduce our commute,” says Stewart.

Today, they sell eggs through a local grader and to neighbours at the farm gate in their close-knit community. In addition, they raise dairy heifers for a local farm and produce feed on-site.

Tiffany also works for a local veterinarian clinic and dairy farm, while Stewart continues to work at Dalhousie University’s Truro campus farm, before coming home to oversee their egg farm.

Stewart says. “I love that my kids are right there with us. They help with egg collection and feeding the animals—they probably do more than most kids their age.”

Involvement in the industry and community also matter deeply to their family. Their oldest daughter has joined 4-H, and the family participates regularly in Nova Scotia Egg Farmers events, donating to various charities. As a participant in the national young farmer program, Stewart greatly appreciates the opportunity to network with producers across the country.

“We’re still so new, so getting insights from more experienced farmers is a huge benefit,” he says, adding that Tiffany hopes to also join the program in the future.

Looking ahead, Stewart and Tiffany dream of investing in solar energy and grading their own eggs. More than anything, they want to build something meaningful, something their children might one day choose to continue. “Eggs are affordable, versatile and reliable,” Stewart says. “It’s a strong industry with a bright future, and we’re proud to be part of it.”