Johnstons are Peel’s Farm Family of the Year

November 24, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
The Johnston Family of Centreville Creek Road have spent years making contributions to the local agricultural scene, as well as to the community.
Those contributions were recognized Saturday night as Paul and Betty Johnston and their family were named Peel’s Farm Family of the Year.
They were honoured at the annual banquet hosted by the Peel Federation of Agriculture.
Mr. Johnston said he found out about the award in August at the Peel-Dufferin Plowmen’s Association annual match in Caledon, and he confessed he was “shocked.”
“It’s a great honour for us,” he added. “We were just kind of shocked.”
“It’s an honour and a privilege to say a few words about Paul and Betty,” commented long-time friend Harry Brander.
He said he’s known Mr. Johnston some 50 years, since they were together in 4-H and Junior Farmers.
The Johnstons were married in 1971, had four daughters and now have nine grandchildren.
By 1983, they had hired Mike Burns, who still works on the farm.
In time, Mrs. Johnston took on the bookkeeping role for the farm operation, and also helped out in the barn, and Brander said she found time for work in the community, with the public library, as president of the Brownie Mothers group, coordinating the annual Macville Craft Show and teaching Sunday school.
When he wasn’t busy with the farm, Mr. Johnston worked on floats for parades, and has restored antique tractors.
Brander also said Mr. Johnston has taken an interest in history, having been involved with the Caledon Heritage Committee and the Caledon East and District Historical Society. Mrs. Johnston served two terms as president of the Society.
They were both 4-H leaders, and have been associate directors of the Albion and Bolton Agricultural Society for more than 20 years.
They have also been involved as directors of the Peel Plowmen’s Association, and have helped organized the local annual plowing matches.
Brander mentioned that they demonstrated an interest in rodeos in the early 1990s, and the organized the Bolton Silver Spur Rodeo through he Ontario Rodeo Association in 1996, ‘97 and ‘98. He also said the President of the Ontario Association had said the Johnstons did more in three years than some members did in 20.
“They wanted to give back to the community,” Brander said.
“They’ve got lots of energy and they’re always looking for activities,” he added. “They always are ready to volunteer. If you want to get something done, just go ask Paul and Betty.”
Mr. Johnston said the farm operation started in the 1940s when his grandfather bought the property for his son Jim on what in those days was known as the 3rd Line, Albion. His father came to the site with a team of horses, as well as some cows and sheep.
His parents were married in 1948 and he was born in ‘49. The operation grew, and Mr. Johnston said his father bought some more land in 1963, which is where he and his wife now live.
They continued to rent land and at one point, the operation saw the milking of 60 cows.
Mr. Johnston also said his father sold two horses than eventually became part of the Disney World eight-horse hitch.
He said they sold their dairy herd about 12 years ago.
“There’s life after cows,” he remarked.

Members of the Johnston family were on hand to receive recognition at Peel’s Farm Family of the Year Saturday night. Seen here are Mike and Sabrina Eels, Brian Wilson, Betty and Paul Johnston, Mike Burns, Jim Johnston, Tony Comella, Teresa Johnston, Jonathan Gray, and Paul and Lynnette Gray.

Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones was among those on hand to congratulate Paul and Betty Johnston.

Saturday’s Farm Family of the Year banquet saw the presentation of Peel Federation of Agriculture 2014 Scholarships. Recipients Colin French and Greg Reid are seen here flanking Bolton Fair Senior Ambassador Julie French, Junior Ambassador Caitlyn Kolb and Peel-Dufferin Queen of the Furrow Julia Thompson. Scholarship recipients Graham Jefferson and Robert Matson were absent for the photo.