Better Pork - October 2016

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22 Better Pork October 2016
Mary Ann and Stan Found
of the South Courtice Devel-
opment Area of Clarington
are passionate agvocates for the
pork industry and the agriculture
community. Mary Ann, for example,
helped to form Durham Farm
Connections in 2005. This organi-
zation unites the community out-
reach and education efforts of eight
commodity groups in the region.
Durham Farm Connections has a
high school program, a yearly open
house, and an educational trailer
used at fairs and other local events.
Stan is also active in the organization.
In 2006, Mary Ann retired from
teaching at the high school level and
the couple pushed their commitment
to consumer education even further.
That year, they built and opened an
ag education barn for school tours,
typically for children in kindergarten
through Grade 3. Mary Ann said a
main reason for creating the resource
was because “we had so many urban
residents living on our line fence.”
Visiting schoolchildren typically
spend a half day on the Found Fam-
ily Farm, where they have the op-
portunity to see a wide range of farm
animals – pigs, sheep, beef and chick-
ens. They learn how donkeys mixed
in with the sheep can help to protect
the herd from predators. They see the
crops in the fields and learn about
seasonal farm work. About 2,000
visitors participate in the on-farm
program each year, Mary Ann said.
She is also active on the local fair
board as well as with her local church
and the Women’s Institute. She vol-
unteers with Meals on Wheels.
Stan is involved in the local beef
association, serves as the county
representative to the provincial
association and serves on the local
cemetery board. He also is a director
with the Durham Farmers’ County
Co-op. They are both directors with
the local pork producers’ association.
No wonder Mary Ann said “the truck
and the van very seldom cool off!”
Amidst the array of volunteer
work, the Founds have a finishing
hog operation, a beef operation and a
cash crop operation. The couple farm
together with their son, Brad, who
also has a commercial sheep enterprise.
When did you start farming?
STAN – When I was born. I’ve been
on the same farm my whole life. This
is my grandparents’ farm originally.
And our son is the fourth generation
farming with us.
MARY ANN – I was born on a dairy
farm. At age 10, my father decided
that the lure of the factory and the
steady income was better than the
farm. So he sold the farm. Forty-one
years ago, I married back into the farm.
Describe your role on your farm operation?
STAN – I do everything, along with
my son. Whatever has to be done, we
do it. I’m manager, labourer, what-
ever. My wife helps too.
UPCLOSE
Education goes hand-in-hand with farming for
this Clarington couple
Mary Ann and Stan Found have always made it a priority to share the good story of agriculture.
Then, in 2006, they built a barn dedicated to agricultural educational outreach.
by ANDREA GAL