“Les sillons que l’on trace” by Anne-Cécile Suzanne tells the story of a young woman who defied societal expectations to become a farmer. Born into an agricultural family, Anne-Cécile was not initially destined to work the land. However, when her dad dies of cancer after a long struggle, her life takes a dramatic turn. Just starting out in college, Anne-Cécile decides to continue the family farm. She has no prior experience in agriculture, and being a young woman in a predominantly male industry, she’s met with set-backs and opposition.
The book captures Anne-Cécile’s journey through immense personal and professional challenges. She battles against the harsh realities of farming, such as financial instability, dependence on weather conditions, and stringent regulations. Yet, through perseverance, she manages to not only sustain the farm but also thrive academically, achieving success at Sciences Po(*). Her story is one of resilience, highlighting the solidarity within the agricultural community and the pride that comes from hard-earned achievements.
Beyond her personal story, Anne-Cécile uses her platform to advocate for greater understanding and support for farmers. Her experiences have led her to engage with the media, politics, and the economic sector to highlight the critical role of agriculture in society.
“Les sillons que l’on trace” was another book I read with great pleasure. I started reading it while on holiday in the French country side, enjoying a local beer or a cool glass of white wine, with the buzzing of insects as my soundtrack. I could see the views Anne-Cécile described, I could feel her pain when she wrote about her father’s illness. The struggle of taking over the farm at a young age and without any prior knowledge is one many farmers can relate to. Combining this with high level education could not have been easy. Anne-Cécile succeeded in both.
“Les sillons que l’on trace” is published by Fayard earlier this year, in the midst of the heavy French famers protests. The book is only published in French, but I do hope Fayard will publish a translation, because the book is worth it!
INFO BOOK
Les sillons que l’on trace
By Anne-Cécile Suzanne
Publisher: Fayard
Paperback, 336 pages
ISBN: 978-2213726069
(*) sciences po is an international research university, both selective and open onto the world, ranking among the finest institutions in the fields of humanities and social sciences. https://www.sciencespo.fr/en/about/what-is-sciences-po/
This article was published in Women in Ag Magazine 2024-002. Click here to read the magazine (free).
