Open daily in October
10 AM - 6 PM
(Up to eight hours of quality fun for everyone!)
Give us a call at 905.263.2930 and ask us how we can give you a little taste of farm life or if you like, send us an email at info@knoxpumpkinfarm.com.
Award-Winning Farm Connections
Receiving Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence
June 2008 - It was an honour to receive this prestigious award on behalf of Mary Anne Found and the Durham Farm Connections gang, as well as to meet with other recipients in an award ceremony with Ontario's Minister of Agriculture. Setup to enhance the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of agriculture and the Agri-Food industry within Durham Region, the committee members use lots of talent and expertise to help spread the good word.
The ceremony took place near Belleville, and you can see more (including Jenny's photo with the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Leona Dombrowsky) at OMAFRA.
OPEN HOUSE
Durham Farm Connections 2008
March 2008 - Durham Farm Connections is in it's third year, and this year promises to the best ever! FC was setup to enhance knowledge, understanding and appreciation of agriculture and the Agri-Food industry within the Durham Region.
Members of the public are invited to attend the Open House on Wednesday, April 2 at the Vipond Memorial Arena in Brooklin from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Meet farmers from across Durham Region and their livestock; learn how to protect our soil, air and water; learn about crops and farm machinery; and view agricultural murals made by participating schools. While admission is free, donations of canned goods will be gratefully accepted on behalf of the local food bank. Check out the website at www.durhamfarmconnections.ca.
Happy Valentines Day
An Ode to our Beloved Archie
Febuary 2008 - We are sad to report the passing of our beloved farm mascot, Archie the Turkey. On the weekend, Ian noticed that Archie was looking a little peaked, and we are guessing that he died of old age.
For anyone who didn't have the opportunity to get to know Archie, he was no turkey. When the school buses arrived he would waddle out and meet the bus, and chaperone the classes around from station to station. When Isabella was spending her summer days crawling around the lawn last summer, Archie fluffed up his feathers at anyone who dared approach. When a wolf or coyote dared enter the paddocks or the barn, we would be alerted by Archie. And finally, what other bird would let our visitors touch their waddle? It is not likely that another turkey will ever have the same regal, professional and loyal characteristics of our dear tour-guide. Rest now, dear Archie. You will be missed by all your farm friends.
Food Freedom Day
This Year it's February 3, 2008
Febuary 2008 - Food Freedom Day, February 3, is the calendar date representing when Canadians earned enough income to pay the grocery bill for the entire year.
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture calculates that it takes just 34 (down from 37 last year) days from January 1st to acquire the income needed to cover annual food expenses (on a per capita basis).
Canadian consumers spend on average 10.5 percent of their personal disposable income (PDI) on food expenditures. In many parts of the world, the cost of food is significantly higher.
In observing Food Freedom Day, farmers across the country will celebrate their role in providing consumers with one of the safest and most affordable food supplies in the world.
Helping Farmers of the Future
Farmer Ken Spreads the Word!
January 2008 - On a cold day in January, Farmer Ken was the keynote speaker for the FARMSMART conference in Guelph. His message centered on the changes that have taken place in farming over the last 40 years, what changes are predicted for the next 40 - and what tools farmers will need to adapt and remain successful. http://www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart/
Do YOU Buy Local?
Farmer Ian returns as the Prez!
January 2008 - For a second term, Ian will be doing his part for the current and future farmers of Durham Region by serving as President of the Durham Farm Fresh Marketing Association. This is a group comprised of farm markets, producers and restaurants in Durham that is poised to capitalize on the current 'buy local' food trend. www.durhamfarmfresh.ca
They Sure Grow Them BIG at Élevage Puech!
Ian, Jenny and Bella return to the embryo farm!
January 2008 - On a recent trip to France, we stopped in to visit the home of our embryo calves. We were greeted with a warm welcome and a tour of the barn, where we were once again in awe of the size of their cattle. Marlène and Dominique Puech recently exported a bull to Ecuador, and all three of their university-aged children, Christel, Fabien and Aubinare, are pursuing careers in agriculture. The industry is lucky, for they are all incredibly well-educated in ag issues and will bring alot to the future of farming. As for other french animals, we almost ran into a giant wild boar in the middle of an evening drive through the Pyrenees mountain range. They sure grow them BIG in France... http://www.chez.com/firfin/elevage/
Bella and the Knox Farm Percherons Win Big at the Royal
The 2007 Royal Winter Fair wows again!
November 2007 - We always love going to the Royal Winter Fair, and it's even better when we get a chance to work a little, too! It's amazing to watch all of city people learning about what farmers do, and an amazing opportunity for farmers to get together and learn from each other. It really is a great event put on by people who love agriculture - and it shows. Their school program is also an excellent opportunity for teachers to meet curriculum requirements.
This year our Percheron team did very well with the help of the Barron family, who showed off their best characteristics. And Bella's best characteristics were on show as well, as the autumn posterchild for the Durham Region Tourism "Good Natured, Good Times" advertising campaign. www.theknoxfarm.com http://www.durhamtourism.ca/
Going Green at GreenStar
The future is green!
November 2007 - Through Durham Farm Fresh Marketing Association, we took part in the first GreenStar Expo & Awards in Ajax. It was really neat to see the various business in the area that have produced innovative and forward-thinking products and services that can help residents and businesses do their part to save the planet. And it was a well run event by Kerri King and her merry gang of elves. Our friends the Geissbergers were on hand with their apple cider samples - I think the crowd was impressed! http://greenstarawards.com/
October, October
Another season comes and goes!
October 2007 - It really was a great month. Overall, the weather cooperated (one day people were even wearing shorts and tank tops!) and so did the animals, staff and customers;) With the help of our amazing staff and friends and family volunteers, we pulled off the busiest day in pumpkin farm history without a hitch! Once again our school programs were successful, with the help of 'Farmers' Christa, Laura, Jaime, Emily, and we were lucky to have the mid-month return of Farmer Bateman.
We continued in our tradition of holding a fundraising and awareness day for autism, which was started a few years ago after friends Stacey and Jonathan found out that their twins, Owen and Will, have autism. Although there was much talk about autism in the fall election platforms, Ontario continues to drop the ball on service provision for children diagnosed with autism. Because of this, the Haleys moved out west to Alberta last year, where the twins were able to immediately access provincially-funded therapy and have benefitted immensely. Meanwhile in Ontario, there are hundreds of children with autism who are missing out on therapy in the most critical years... The Haley family has an excellent blog that we visit to keep current their news, but we were still sooo happy that they were home for a quick visit in October. http://www.willowjak.blogspot.com/ http://www.kerrysplace.com/
Knox Farm/First Start Draft Horse Journal Ad
Energizing the World Percheron Congress!
October 2007 - Be sure to look for our new advertisement in the upcoming Draft Horse Journal magazine. This highlights our Mare 6 Horse Hitch, driven by Dan Barron, our Champion Mare Double G Brandilyn and the outstanding colt First Start Acres Energizer. He will available at the Gordyville sale, and we are very pleased to be donating the proceeds from his sale to the 2008 World Percheron Congress. https://www.drafthorsejournal.net/
Fun at the Fair
Knox cattle and horses hit the circuit!
September 2007 - As fair season draws to a close, and the percheron horses and blonde d'aquitaine cattle settle back into the straw, we are thankful for a good showing overall. We showed at Rockton, Norfolk, Lindsay, Navan, Percy, Campbellford, Orono, the CNE and the Royal Winter Fair. We won some and we lost some, and we learned alot, had fun and came home with a bushel basket or two of ribbons and trophies (okay, maybe a cold or two as well after sleeping in the barns!).
Our show team crew consisted of Ian, Bella, Krystin, Alex, Emma, Kevin, Ashley, Jen, and the the whole Barron Family. Thanks everyone for another great year. There's a listing of the '08 fairs at: http://www.ontariofairs.com/, and don't forget to check out the percheron and blonde webpages through www.theknoxfarm.com!
Fall Harvest Festival 2007
START YOUR FAMILY TRADITION AT THIS ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEAR OLD FAMILY FARM!
October 2007 - Nestled into the countryside just north of Courtice, this historic farm offers lots of fun for the whole family. Young and old alike delight in the offering of weekend fall activities, free with admission of $5 for children aged 2-15, which include a corn maze, farm animals, a straw jump, a jumping castle, a story reading room, a colouring station, wagon rides out to the pumpkin patch, and face painting. Additional activities are family photo station ($5), scarecrow making ($15), and pony rides ($3). "The genuine farm atmosphere, coupled with century old trees that frame a property filled with hundreds of orange-hued pumpkins and fall activities all add up to the ideal family outing" says Jennifer Knox, who manages the farm along with her father Kenneth and husband Ian Kruis.
Indeed, many families visiting the farm come back year after year - and they have been spreading the word! Many new visitors to the farm have heard about it from their own friends and family, and quickly become repeat visitors themselves after this special farm steals their heart.
Decorate your home with items from the farm market, which include every size of pumpkin imaginable along with straw bales, cornstalks, gourds, and Indian corn. Add some country flavour to your dinner table by picking up some pies, loaves, candy apples and other goodies from the bake table. For families prolonging their stay at the farm, a hotdog lunch is available.
This October over 150 school classes are visiting the farm, with the farm being overrun during the evenings as well by group tours. A phenomenal response has been received from area teachers who rave about the high quality of school programs offered by the experienced staff at the farm. "Our school programs are curriculum-based, and are available for all primary grade levels throughout the year" says Mr. Kruis, himself a primary school French Special-Education teacher in Bowmanville, Ontario. "We feel that agricultural education is a vital component to a student's primary education, and as development increases in Durham Region we are fortunate that we are able to provide this to local children - some of whom have never before had the opportunity to visit a farm".
A third generation family farm, it is the invaluable help of family and friends that keeps the operation, originally a dairy farm, going strong. "Many people have strong ties to this property", says Mr. Knox, "and by everyone pitching in day after day, we're able to offer the public a glimpse of life on a farm, as it was a century ago, as it is today, and as it will hopefully be a century from now".
Directions to the farm: The farm is located at 6325 Enfield Rd. (just north of Mitchell's Corners off Taunton). From 401 take Courtice Rd. Turn left on Taunton Rd. Turn right on Enfield Rd. Follow signs!