It is not often, even in these open and liberal times, that you see women in water boots walking in cow pens and pastures tending to livestock and ensuring that hay and green grass are in plentiful supply.

Marcia McPherson, one of the farm supervisors at the Serge Island Dairies in St Thomas, is one such woman who has made agriculture not only her profession but her passion, in life.

McPherson, who hails from the Hillside community situated at the foot of the Blue Mountain range and which adjoins her place of work, holds a certificate in agriculture from the Elim Agriculture school in St Elizabeth, supervises what can be termed the ‘young cow’ area of Serge Island Dairies.

“After the calves are born, they come to me and my team of approximately 16 other farmhands for care, growth in order to keep the dairy process going,” McPherson explained.

The St Thomas native and her team have the responsibility of caring, growing and developing hundreds of newly born calves. In addition, they tend to the pastures to ensure adequate feeding stock for the calves.

“Calves are taken from their mothers three days or so after their birth and placed in our care until they are at the breeding weight of approximately 550 pounds.

“During this approximately 15-month period, I am responsible for them and I have to ensure that when they (the calves) leave my area they are able to produce milk to keep our operations here at Serge going.

“It has to be a seamless process, as if there is a halt in any of the many areas of our operations, production is severely impacted,” McPherson said.

After six years as one of the farm supervisors at Serge, McPherson, says she knows and enjoys her job.

“This has been quite a learning experience for me. Sometimes you have to deal with problematic calves, but in the main they come in line and with the assistance of my team, we are able to do our part in the production of the many and varied milk products offered by Serge.

“I can tell you it is not easy. We are up from very early in the mornings feeding the lot, some with artificial nipples from specially equipped drums, some with grass, some with commercial feeds.

“Then there is the breeding process, mainly artificial insemination; the entire process is a long one, requiring attention and care but it is a very rewarding one,” the Serge farm supervisor told Observer North East.

The former Trinityville High past student, while disclosing how much she loves her job, noted that the good work and growth of the farms she supervises could not have been possible without the very strong support of her co-workers.

“The people working with me are simply wonderful. We work as a very cohesive unit, we understand what is required of us and our aim is to deliver, and we have been doing just that,” a smiling McPherson said.

As to being a woman in a profession usually dominated by men, the St Thomas native said: “I love working with the guys. It is good when they listen; we can all learn from each other. There is no disrespect; instead, there is unity and a common understanding of our targets and our work,” McPherson added.

In time the Serge Island farm manager says she wants to become a veterinarian.

“What I would like to achieve is a degree in veterinary medicine. It is my passion to work with animals, it is enjoyable,” McPherson said while explaining her life’s dream.