Canada’s birthday gift from Ontario agriculture: Recognizing longstanding farm families

Aug 30, 2017
By Kaitlynn Anderson
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance and OFA highlight local families that have been farming for 150 years

Staff reporter

Farms.com

Canada might be celebrating it’s 150^th birthday, but the Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance (GHFFA) and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) want to celebrate local farmers as well.

Through the Canada 150 Farm Family project, the Alliance will recognize families that have been consecutively farming in the Golden Horseshoe for at least the past 150 years, according to a news release.

To date, more than 160 families in the area have come forward, according to Jeanine Moyer, public relations coordinator for AdFarm.

And the majority have remained on the same land for the past 150 years, said Janet Horner, executive director of the GHFFA.

While many of the families have not moved from the original homestead, some have relocated within the area.

“About 30 per cent (of the families involved) have been pushed out (at some point) due to development,” Horner told Farms.com.

Most participants are now cash crop producers but previous generations transitioned between different farm types, such as cattle and swine operations, to survive, said Horner.

Perhaps these farms may even change their area of specialization moving forward. Regardless, farming and the agri-food industry will always be relevant, Horner believes.

“There are very few industries that can say they have been in business for 150 years or more,” she said.

“This (project) is about commitment, dedication, innovation and ingenuity. Each generation strives to improve for the next (one).”

Excitingly, the project has become much more than organizers expected. Rather than simply learning about family businesses, the GHFFA is learning about family pride, too.

“People share triumphs and struggles of each generation, the marriage licenses and death notices of their ancestors,” said Horner.

“They share photos and articles. This is the story of immigration, tough times and developing a nation. This is Canada's story (being) told by the descendants of those that cleared the land and made the first homesteads.”

Has your family been farming in the Golden Horseshoe for 150 years or more? Consider filling out an application here.

Image: Chiyacat / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Video: 2025 AFSC Women in Ag Winner | The Maverick - Kendra Donnelly

Kendra Donnelly is redefining what it means to be a leader in agriculture. As president of Ki-Era Cattle and Consulting, she has embraced a non-traditional approach to agribusiness, proving that finance, consulting, and sustainability are just as critical to agricultural success as hands-on production. Her work challenging long-standing manure management practices is changing the future of agriculture.

The Maverick challenges conventional norms and disrupts the status quo in the agricultural industry. They are bold leaders who challenge traditional practices and conventional norms within the agriculture or agri-food industry. They are known for taking calculated risks and embracing change to drive progress in the industry.