McClures honoured as Peel’s Farm Family of the Year

November 26, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
Bruce and Joan McClure and their family have moved a couple of times around the Cheltenham over the years. But they have also learned to move with the times.
Their persistence and dedication to the local farming scene was recognized Saturday at the Peel Federation of Agriculture honoured them as Farm Family of the Year.
Mr. McClure said he learned about the recognition in September at the annual Peel-Dufferin Plowing Match.
“They just dragged me aside and asked me if i would accept the nomination,” he recalled, adding he had not been expecting it. “It was just an honour.”
“Its always great to honour people in our community,” commented Emil Kolb, former chair of Peel Region. “The McClure family has a lot of friends around.”
Peel Federation of Agriculture President Keith Garbutt called the evening a great opportunity for the farm community to get together and celebrate a farm family.
Area resident Tom Dolson commented the McClure family has been farming in Chinguacousy since the 1820s
He recalled Mr. McClure was in the junior farmers and very active in 4-H. He also said Mr. McClure graduated high school in 1976, and went home to milk cows, developing a reputation for hard work. He met his future wife at a Junior Farmers’ dance.
Dolson said Mr. McClure has served with a number of community groups over the years, including Home united Church and 10 years as a volunteer firefighter out of the Cheltenham station. He was also president of Peel Seed, and a lot of area farmers came to appreciate his efforts in that regard.
He said the family moved up Creditview Road in 2003, improved the land and “produced crops we never thought we’d see up the road.”
As well, the family hosted the Peel-Dufferin Plowing Match in 2011.
Dolson also commented that they build an elevator on their property which was needed in the community.
“Bruce has always been meticulous how he does things,” Dolson said. “Everything is done right.”
He also said Mr. McClure is a patient man, at least until a problem develops. in that event, he wil sit in Tim Hortons and talk about it until it’s resolved.
“Joan has been an amazing partner,” he remarked. “She’s the glue that holds everything together.”
Bruce is very, very fortunate to have found a partner in life like Joan.”
“We’re all proud of you,” declared Councillor Johanna Downey, who was representing Peel Region. “Two of the hardest working people I know.”
Mayor Allan Thompson commented that he grew up with Mr. McClure.
He also commented on the importance of the agricultural industry to the local economy, and he pointed out in times of trouble, the McClures have been among the first to step up to help.
In his remarks, Mr. McClure paid tribute to his parents for the example they set.
He also commented his wife used to help out on her family’s farm after school.
“Joan also liked to drive the John Deere Tractors,” he added, commenting she’s the “heart and soul of the family.”
“I was fortunate to marry a dairy farm girl,” he said, commenting there would be times during plowing season when she would be on the tractor before he woke up. “Some one has to do the Tim run.”
He also acknowledged the staff on the farm.
“Your commitment to the job is why we work well as a team,” he said.

Mayor Allan Thompson was among those on hand Saturday night to help congratulate Joan and Bruce McClure and their family on being Peel’s Farm Family of the Year. On hand were daughter Kelly and her boyfriend Andrew Grant, daughter Lisa and her husband Mathew McQuillen, daughter Marie and her partner Adam Beck and daughter Kim and her husband Preston Reis.
Photo by Bill Rea