The Rural Voice, 2001-02, Page 27FOND MEMORIES
Couple honoured for contribution to their
community recall the good and bad of farming
for 51 years in Euphrasia Township
By Greg Brown
Jack and June Falls (centre) receive the Agricultural Heritage Award from
Don McCausland, and Bob Brassington. They farmed for 51 years near
Rocklyn.
The highlight of the Annual
Dinner of the Euphrasia
Township Federation of
Agriculture, held in Rocklyn last
month, was the presentation of the
Agricultural Heritage Award. The
Award was initiated nine years ago
by the local Federation to recognize
farmers who have made an
outstanding. contribution to
agriculture by caring for their land
and contributing to their community
for more than 50 years. Through the
publicity surrounding the Award, the
Federation Directors also hope to
make the non -farming community
more aware that the abundance of
food we enjoy in this country is the
result of a lot of hard work by a
small, dedicated segment of our
population.
This year's recipients of the
Agricultural Heritage Award, Jack
and June Falls, were introduced by
their son, Buddy, Falls. Bud told the
story of a couple "whose love for the
land carried them through minor
setbacks and allowed them to carry
on" farming, raising their five
children and serving their
community.
Jack and June took over the Falls
family farm in 1947 and established a
typical mixed farm with cattle, pigs,
chickens and veal calves, with horses
to do the field work in the early
years. Bud recalled all the children
helping with the farm work including
milking the 22 cows by hand. During
the 51 years that they farmed on the
outskirts of Rocklyn, the Falls
expanded their operation, adding to
the barn, increasing their herd,
building a drive shed and purchasing
more land.
Both Jack and June have been
very active in their community,
volunteering their time and raising
many dollars for community
buildings and events, especially the
Rocklyn Arena. June was awarded a
25 -year service plaque from the
Rocklyn Agricultural Society for her
continuous support of a vast number
of community causes. Jack was very
active with the hockey and baseball
teams and coached minor hockey. He
still plays the violin at benefit dances,
nursing homes and hospitals. Bud
summed up his parents' contribution
to their community by saying, "Jack
and June have put their heart and soul
into farming, agriculture and
community events all their lives."
The Falls have many stories to
tell about the changes they
have seen in their way of life,
in farming, and in their community.
They experienced some difficult
times and Jack tells how "we did
everything we could to make a
living." One source of income was
supplying firewood, maple and
beech, to the local school. June
explains that if they needed some
cash they would go to the bush and
cut poles or fence posts. Careful,
selective cutting made their cedar
bush a vital part of the farming
operation for many years. The tall,
straight trees were sold for telephone
poles all around the country and
fence posts were supplied to the local
farmers. The year Jack broke his leg
they were not able to stop the beavers
from flooding the swamp and many
of the trees died.
Raising a family was also a
challenge and they had a large garden
to supplement the other farm
produce. Their biggest problem for
most of the year was keeping fresh
meat. One option was to rent a locker
at the creamery in Meaford but that
was not very convenient, so once
they were hooked up to hydro they
purchased a freezer, one of the few
things they "bought on payment".
The water reservoir on the side of
the wood stove was the main source
of hot water and at bath time for the
children, June smiles when she says
she "started with the cleanest one
first". Jack talks about the "snow
plane", a vehicle with skis on the
front and driven by an aeroplane
FEBRUARY 2001 23