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TERRY SCOTT WHITE PHOTOS
Pembroke farmer in 2014 Faces of Farming calendar Farm & Food Care Ontario
Take a glimpse into Darcy Smith’s world and it’s hard to believe he has time for anything extra. He’s a proud dad to four young children, full time farmer, sportsman and active volunteer with several community groups. He’s also now the face of October and appears on the cover of the 2014 Faces of Farming calendar published by Farm & Food Care Ontario. He was nominated by Grain Farmers of Ontario for the honour and participated in a photo shoot last summer with his family. Both sides of Darcy’s family have farmed in for generations. Until the recent passing of his great grandmother in her late 90’s, there were five generations of his family still living in the Pembroke area. He now farms with his dad, milking 50 cows and growing corn, wheat, soybeans, canola, sweet corn, pumpkins and hay
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on 1,500 acres of land. When he was younger, Darcy wasn’t sure that he wanted to farm and, to help him make up his mind, his parents insisted that he try other careers. He worked in construction for a while and then attended Kemptville College to study agriculture. It was there that he realized that he did want to continue the family tradition of farming. Said Darcy, “I realized if I was going to be working hard, I might as well work for myself on the farm.” He’s never looked back from that decision. It was at Kemptville that he met his future wife, Lyndsay. Raised in Ottawa, Lyndsay had no farm background but was an avid horse woman who adapted well to the rural way of life that her new husband introduced her to. The two married six years ago and are now parents to Austyn, aged four; Oliver, aged two and newborn twin daughters Sadie and Dylan, born last June.
Darcy chuckled as he commented on the timing of his daughters’ birth. “They were born just after planting season. That worked out well.” When he’s not farming, he likes to hunt and plays hockey twice a week. What does Darcy like best about farming? “Growing is my main passion,” he said. “I love planting something and see it come up.” He also enjoys tackling new skills, recently taking on the renovation of a farm shop as a project. To see an interview with Darcy and his family, visit http://youtu.be/k64uonUbE_g The ninth annual Faces of Farming calendar, featuring the theme of Real Farmers with Real Heart, is designed to introduce the public to a few of Ontario’s passionate and hardworking farmers – the people who produce food in this province. Copies can be ordered online at www.farmfoodcare.org. A list of retailers selling the calendar is also located on that website.
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The Faces of Farming calendar shows the faces and tells the stories of 13 Ontario farmers and farm families and pays tribute to the work done by Ontario farmers throughout the year. The cover image (above) and the month of October (below) features grain and dairy farmer Darcy Smith of Pembroke. Darcy appears on the cover with his newborn twin daughters Dylan and Sadie and a complete family photo with his wife and sons appears within the calendar as well. The caption with his photo says” “Darcy was raised on a dairy and crop farm near Pembroke. He studied agriculture at Kemptville College and tried his hand at a couple of other careers before returning home to farm with his parents. Today, Darcy and his wife Lyndsay are proud parents to four year old Austyn and two year old Oliver as well as twin newborn daughters Sadie and Dylan. Farming and being a dad takes up most of Darcy’s waking hours although he loves playing hockey when he can find the time .” The page was sponsored by Grain Farmers of Ontario.
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