YOUNG FARMER
Jamie Keen
Immersed in farming all his life
BY RICHARD KAMCHEN
Jamie Keen is part of Keen Grain and
Livestock, which was started by his
grandfather in 1942.
Originally a dairy farm started in 1942 by James
Keen and his brother Richard, Keen Grain and
Livestock is now being tended to by descendants
ranging in age from 65 to five as it enters
its fourth generation.
James’s son Martin currently holds the
reigns of the Marquette-area mixed grain and beef farm, while
his wife Sandra continues as the operation’s main bookkeeper,
says their son, Jamie.
“My dad’s always farmed, and ever since I was able to hold a
pitchfork or drive a tractor, I’ve been involved here on the family
farm,” said Jamie, 32.
When it comes to day-to-day operations, he’s joined by sisters
Sarah Keen-Chanel and Marci Keen, and Sarah and husband
Patrick’s children, nine-year-old Rayden and five-year-old
Brenna.
“As the next generation takes interest, we’ll have to look into
more expansion,” he said.
Succession planning is still a work in progress.
“It’s something we’ve started, but it’s always ongoing as
everybody’s positions changes.”
The operation has gone through some significant changes
itself, maybe none bigger than exiting the dairy business.
“My grandpa started shipping cream, then from cream into
industrial fluid milk, and then into the current milk quota system,”
explained Jamie.
Ever since he was able to hold a pitchfork, Jamie Keen has been
involved in the family farm.
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Manitoba Farmers’ Voice § Winter 2019 § 23