It all started in the late 1800s: a man and his wife; a small farm in Kent County; ten children, 5 girls, 5 boys. One of those boys, after doing his civic duty in the army during WWII, bought a farm, where, to this day: his sons and grandsons are still farming.

 

In 1946, with the help of the Veterans Land Act, Lloyd Langstaff (d. 09/2010 at 89) purchased 100 acres in Dawn Township, Lambton County (3012 Bentpath Line, Tupperville, ON). In 1975, his youngest son, Bruce (55), at the age of 18, bought the 100 acres right beside it (1542 Mandaumin Road). And in 2012, Bruce’s son, Dan, bought 100 acres on the next side road (3168 Edy’s Mills Line).

 

From spring to fall, they work together to grow soybeans, corn, and wheat. Barley, oats, and hay are grown to feed the growing herd of Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle (when they aren’t on pasture), and the laying hens in the chicken coop. The winter and early spring are spent in the barn, calving, and in the sugar bush, making maple syrup, the old-fashioned way.

 

Farming is about so much more than growing crops and raising livestock. What have made these farms endure the test of time, are the people: the farmers passionate about what they do, the wives that support them, and children who learn the value of hard work from a young age. Lloyd brought Marion to that farm on the corner, and raised their four kids; Bruce and Cathy built the home they are still living in, and raised their three kids on the farm down the road; and now Dan has made a home with Camille, and will raise their family on that next side road.

 

  The farms and people have increased in numbers, the years and experiences are deeply rooted in that rich clay, and love has bound it all together for generations, a love of God, a love for each other, and a love of the soil. The lessons of the farm are the lessons for life: there will be good times, there will be droughts. There will be great times, and there will be devastation. But if you have faith that all things work together for the good, for those who trust in Him, and if you have a strong family working beside you, you can weather all the storms.