Our Crew Makes Good Things Happen
Every year at the farm, we consider ourselves blessed that talented people choose to spend some time here helping us to build our vision. As subdivisions get closer and closer to the farm, we find it hard to find people with farm experience. What we have learned is that sometimes the will to learn tops previous experience (or lack of!). We are fortunate to have our crew, friends and family here each year as we learn and grow together.
The Purdy Family (aka Josh, Kyle, Krystin and Nick) - What would we do without them?
The Pony Girls (aka Alex, Jenn) - One day a little girl and her dad came to the farm and asked if she could come sometimes to groom the horses. We could never have known that that little girl would grow into one of the most dependable hard-working girls that this farm has ever seen. Alex is amazing and whatever task she's on, we know it will be completed thoughfully and well. She's so good, in fact, she gets invited on family vacations! As for Jenn, she started out feeding the horses once a day, and now does chores for all the animals at the same time. Jenn knows her animals. When she's in the barn, we know for sure that the animals (and us!) have been well-cared for. We miss Jenn now that she's gone on to the University of Guelph, but hope she continues in the ag profession somehow.
The Pumpkin Gang - Finding extra hands will always be of October's biggest challenges, but somehow it always works out. Friends and relatives come out of the woodwork, and somehow everything gets done. Our regular crew is augmented by talented and interesting locals, who are amazingly willing to stand outside in crazy weather making customers happy. Our 2008 crew consisted of Ken, Jenny, Elizabeth, Karl, Ian, Marge, Kyle, Krystin, Alex, Jenn, Ryan, Bonnie, Alex, Charlie, Steven, Rick, Kenny, Bill, Emma, Papa, Joan, Caroline, Carolyn, Cheryl, Alex, Lindsay, Jaime, Nicholas, Ashley, Megan, Kaitlin, Jade, Kayla, Sam, Mary, Taylor, and Sarah. Another successful year pulled off by a huge team effort. We were happy that Carolyn and Jay missed the season due to the addition of a 'little pumpkin' of their own. We missed Orville this year, who retired after many years of wagon rides. Thanks to all!
The Legends Crew - There have been huge contributions over the years by people who have gone on to impart their farm-earned wisdom, engineering skills, problem-solving and ingenuity into the world. Some who were here longer than most are Uncle Doug and Windy, Garry G., Sue H., Rod G., Dave H., Jeremy and Jeff W., Neil and Rich B., Mike S., Scott, Jeremy B. and Kevin, David and Derek R. Their sweat (okay, sometimes tears too!) at the farm is reflected in the farm buildings and landscape, ensuring that their work will never be forgotten.
Our Farm Teachers are at the top of their class!
Farmers have a certain way with children, and your farm friends are no different! All presenters have a farm background, and bring with them a love and passion for rural agriculture. Our Farm Teachers didn't just roll off the turnip truck! Who are these farmers anyway? Read all about 'em!
Meet the Farm Teachers
Farmer Jenny (aka Jenny Knox) - Some people say that Farmer Jenny was born with orange hair! Jenny has always had a knack for knowing what's in little people's heads. Her strong public speaking, teaching and (who are we kidding) singing skills make her a natural teacher in the pumpkin patch. Jenny was raised on the farm and dreams of a successful future for the farm and other small farms in Ontario. Jenny is a Director on the Clarington Board of Trade, Director of Clarington Marketing Minds, and sits on two advisory committees for the Municipality of Clarington: the Clarington Agricultural Advisory Committee and the Local Architectural Advisory Committee (Past Vice-Chair), and enjoyed contributing to the Bowmanville 150th Anniversary Cmt. Jenny and Ian both sit on the steering committee for Durham Region Farm Connections. She has a love for all things old, traditional, agricultural and children.
Farmer Ian (aka Ian Kruis) - If you see a French farmer in the patch, chances are you've spotted Farmer Ian! Ian grew up on a little farm in Brantford, ON, where he became a 4-H leader of his local sheep club. After graduation from the University of Waterloo, Ian became a French teacher for the Brantford Board of Education. When he met his future wife Farmer Jenny, he packed his saddlebags, got on his horse and galloped to the farm - and much to her delight he's been a fixture of the Knox farm ever since. Ian is a French Special Education teacher. He is Past-President of the Durham Farm Fresh Marketing Association, and Vice-President of the Canadian Blonde d'Aquitaine Association.
Farmer Ken (aka Ken Knox) - Farmer Ken grew up on the farm, buying it from parents John and Jean in the 1970's. Ken has much experience in the teaching field as he was a trainer for the 4-H and Ontario Junior Farmer organizations in his younger days. Off the farm, Ken continues to have a distinguished professional career. Having spent most of his career working for the Province of Ontario, he is now privately consulting for various biotechnology and scientific research companies in Toronto. Ken loves pouring cement, buying horses, and dreams of the day he can find time to take up woodworking and drive a 12-horse hitch.
Farmer Christa - Looking at Farmer Christa showing off the barn animals, you'd never guess she grew up in town. She has embraced living in the country whole-heartedly, living near the farm with her husband and their three children on their property where they built their own house and now grow strawberries and sell honey. These days, Christa is no stranger to pulling weeds and feeding pigs, and has become a hard-working farmgirl. She enthusiastically shares her experience and knowledge to farm visitors, and likely even inspires some to go home and try pulling weeds for themselves!