Glen Haven Farms shines at Dundas County Holstein night
From left, Glen Haven Farms’ owners Tom and Janet MacGregor are seen here with Dundas County Holstein Club’s Secretary Janessa Pol and President Eric Vandenbroek, on Wed. July 12, when the MacGregors hosted the Club’s twilight family fun night.

by Muriel Carruthers
AgriNews Staff Writer
SDG – Ontario Holsteins held their local annual twilight family fun nights with barbecues in the Stormont and Dundas Counties last month. Both back-to-back events were fortunate to see enjoyable evenings with sunny skies and no rain.

The two nights’ events were catered by The Leatherworks of Carleton Place, which provided a delicious buffet-style roast beef dinner with salads, chicken, and other side dishes with desserts, to the hundreds who attended. No comments were heard following the meals that anyone was still hungry or thirsty at this caterer’s provisions of food, beverages and service. Children attending the Sanders’ farm were also treated to barbecued burgers and hotdogs.

Although the Glen Haven Farms sport the big blue machines, co-owner Doug MacGregor was quite happy to introduce his son to the other visiting green ones at the farm for the twilight family fun night.

An impressive display of machinery by sponsors and vendors were noted at both farms, as well as the chance to see the Holsteins and both relatively new barns. There were lots of activities for the children as well, including face painting and bouncy structures, and door prizes offered at both events. In attendance at both events were the Township of North Stormont Mayor Dennis Fife and MPP Jim McDonell, both also from agricultural backgrounds.

First up on Wed., July 12, in Crysler, the MacGregor family – Tom and Janet with next generation farmer, son Doug – of Glen Haven Farms, established in 1882 – hosted an outstanding party. The evening officially started at 7 p.m. but a few friends and family members arrived a bit earlier to visit and check out the recent new barn, the robotic milker and huge workshop, and of course, the Holsteins. Children were entertained well with the two bouncy structures and especially with Lil John the Clown, who kept their attention (as well as the adults watching) for some time with his magic tricks and comments. The MacGregors were quite pleased and surprised with the numbers of attendees, including children, who attended – just under 600. Dundas Holstein Club President Eric Vandenbroek commented that he was very pleased with the turnout, and later called out the door prize numbers.

Tony and Rejeanne Sanders are joined by their children – daughter Amy and sons (not in order) Collin, Mike, Adam and Tony Ray – for a photo in front of the sign (not visible) that reads Stormont County Holstein Breeders “Where it all began in 1881”.

On Thurs., July 13, the Stormont County Holstein Club’s annual twilight meeting and family fun night then followed at Farside Farms with the Sanders Family – owners Tony and wife Rejeanne – in Berwick. Following the dinner and visits to the barn, attendees were then welcomed by Stormont County President Kevin Glaude, who introduced the Sanders family. Past president Jeff Waldroff informed the audience with a thank you to the sponsors as he read out the many names. A heartwarming thank you by Tony was next, as his wife and family joined him at the front of the tent. He stated he was a second-generation farmer, and from the size of the family, it appears this farm will continue into the next two generations.

The atmosphere was real down home with bales and boards for seats under the huge tent, where visitors to the Sanders’ Farside Farms could meet their family, friends and neighbours for a relaxing time as they dined.

Sons Collin and Mike are third-generation farmers who help on the farm. All 21 family members present sported matching navy blue shirts with the Farside Farms logo – Rejeanne informed AgriNews there’s also a onesie with the logo awaiting their next grandchild due to be born soon. The evening’s program wrapped up with the acknowledgement of the Veteran Breeder Awards to a 50-year and several 30- and 40-year Holstein breeders.

Maple the Cow was a pleasant surprise for the younger children who were eager to try their hand at milking at the Farside Farms’ Holstein family night. Carruthers photos