CHARLOTTE WASYLIK
Owner/Operator Chatsworth Farm | Alberta | INSTAGRAM
What does a day in your work life look like?
The day always starts with chores, and after that, it could be anything from packaging farm-to-table orders, answering customer emails, building sheep fence, or cleaning out a hen house (or three!). I also do contract work for large-scale agricultural events from home, having that remote flexibility lets me get more done on the farm while still staying connected to the larger world of ag.
What made you start doing the amazing things that you do?
"I grew up at Chatsworth Farm, just outside Vermilion, Alberta, where we raised commercial cattle, sheep, poultry, legumes, and cereals. Agriculture has been a part of my life from the start and my passion was sparked early on and only grew through my years in 4-H and working alongside my family on the farm.
After attending post-secondary and spending a few years in the city, I quickly realized that city life wasn’t for me. I moved back home, balancing farm work with a job in town. Eventually, I got the chance to buy my own farm, and now my fiancé Rob and I live just 30 minutes up the road on our own quarter.
I’m still deeply connected to the farm where I grew up and I work at the main farm during the week, managing the farm-to-table program, helping with calving, moving cattle, and managing the breeding of the pigs which are the newest addition."
What did you want to be when you were growing up, or a little kid?
I once thought about becoming a veterinarian, and while I never did, I have so much appreciation for and reliance on our local vets. Every visit teaches me something new, and every animal emergency adds to my knowledge and skills which makes me a better farmer.
What are the top five things that are always in your pockets?
I’m famous for never having a utility knife when I need it — it’s always in a different pair of pants or jacket! But I try to keep one on me. You’ll almost always find double-headed nails, twine, horse cookies or dog treats, eggs on my way back from gathering them, and of course, my phone!
What are you doing when you’re not working hard?
I love spending my spare moments riding or walking through my woods, enjoying nature—especially birding.
How do you encourage other women to start doing what you do?
Be encouraging, be kind, and be the ally, not the obstacle. Women can be each other’s greatest strength or their biggest barrier. The best way to bring more women into this work is to support, teach, and advocate for one another.
Do you have any special projects or cool things you want people to check out?
"One of the things I’m most excited about every year is hosting Alberta Open Farm Days at our farm! We’ve been part of it since 2020, and we’re already getting ready for this year’s event. It’s a free event that connects people to local agriculture and gives them a chance to see where their food comes from.
There’s an artisan farmers market, guided farm tours, cooking demos with local chefs, live music, and even wagon rides. We have hands-on activities like calf pulling, grinding flour, and planting seeds. It’s a day full of learning, good food, and fun, and we get visitors from just down the road or even as far as three hours away.
It’s a great chance to see what life on a working farm is like."
What does workwear designed for women mean to you?
"Having clothing that fits well makes you feel good, but for workwear, fit isn’t just about comfort; it’s about functionality. Female-fit workwear isn’t just a convenience, it’s a statement that women in agriculture and trades deserve to be seen and equipped just as well as men. There’s nothing more frustrating than walking into a farm or workwear store and finding only a handful of random options for women.
Until I bought my first pair of Dovetails last year, I had never owned true women’s workwear outside of my chore jeans simply because nothing was readily available. Discovering Dovetail was a so exciting, and I truly appreciate the different fits designed for real working women. When I shop, I look for clothing that fits properly, is functional, and also brings a bit of personality and style. We put effort into finding clothes that make us feel good in everyday life, so why shouldn’t we have that same level of choice and confidence in our workwear?"
