Life on The Family Farm

Life on The Bross Family Farm

“When I was two, my parents bought a farm to raise their family the way they were raised. They put $500 down on an 80-acre property with a house, barn, and outbuilding. Traditionally, farms were 100 acres, but 20 acres were lost in a card game long before.”

What are some memorable experiences growing up or working on a family farm?

“My main job growing up on the farm was to keep everyone well fed. Before turning 13, I prepared full multi-course meals on my own. During planting or harvesting, I cooked lunch for at least 10 people every day at noon. This experience showed me how every role contributes to keeping a farm running. I also enjoyed controlling the house temperature while cooking! Preparing meals helped me appreciate the many roles that keep a farm operating smoothly.

Both of my grandfathers endured permanent injuries in farming accidents. One lost his arm as a young adult, while the other lost multiple fingers. One accident happened on our family farm, and I still remember it vividly from childhood.

As the eldest of six children, I worked alongside my siblings on the farm. We often argued over who had to work in the hay mow versus unloading. I always chose unloading bales from the wagon because the barn at least had a breeze. The mow felt unbearably hot, especially in long sleeves and pants to avoid scratches. As a kid, I preferred handling straw since it felt lighter and easier to manage. Unlike non-farm kids, I never saw summer break as a vacation—June meant the first cut of hay and long days of hard work!”

What have you learned about working within the agricultural industry at a young age?

“Working summer jobs harvesting cucumbers on nearby farms taught me many lessons. At 15, I picked cucumbers for local farms contracted with Bick’s Pickles. Some farms paid by production, while others offered an hourly wage. Through this work, I learned the value of hard work, long hours, and earning good farm wages. My earnings at 15 even funded a European vacation—completely paid for by cucumber picking!

On the farm, I also picked stones to protect machinery, often working alongside my family after school in the spring. Thankfully, our farm had good soil with few stones, so the job never felt overwhelming. During this time, I also learned to drive a tractor. If I could drive straight and stay focused on the field marker, I usually got to do it again!

I loved collecting eggs from the hens, and the rabbits brought me joy—but they sure multiplied quickly!”

What are some of your fondest memories?

“One December, my dad brought home a pregnant goat as a Christmas gift—what a treat! Watching the birthing process and seeing the two “kids” learn to nurse from Nanny, our pet goat, created a great memory. The experience felt truly farm-to-table when that goat’s milk appeared on our breakfast cereal. I never really got used to that!

Other farm activities that stand out include sterilizing whiskey bottles to fill with homemade root beer and learning to garden. Preparing vegetables for the freezer became a valuable life skill. Now, I’ve taken an interest in preserving food, making pickles, and canning—skills that were a big part of my childhood.

Later in my teens, while attending the University of Guelph, I encountered experiences far beyond farm life. Exploring new things sparked my love for travel and seeing the world—so I left farm life behind for a while.”

What do you enjoy most about working within the agricultural industry?

The People!!  Farmers are some of the brightest, kindest, most practical and common-sense people I know.  I feel very privileged to have found my way back to Agriculture and rural life here at Trillium.  It is a joy to work with our members, the brokers that service our members and our family at work.

In 2011 my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer at 60 years old.  I recall a very specific conversation with him offering to do anything he wanted to do on his bucket list – the sky was the limit I would do or take him anywhere.  His response was very surprising and grounded in agriculture.  He wanted to go to the rodeo; he also recalled raising calves on the farm and wondered if he would have time to do that again. This was his dying wish.

This was a true life lesson for me.  The passions we find in life can be wide and diverse, but once you have found it – you have truly found your calling.

Thank God I’m a Country Girl!