A local family received special recognition at the recent International Plowing Match in Verner, Ont.
Paul, Janet, Stephanie and Sarah Campbell were honoured at the IPM as one of the 11 BMO Farm Families from across the province.
The Campbell family has been involved with the Chatham-Kent Plowmen’s Association, plowed at the local Chatham-Kent Plowing Match and was involved in the 2018 International Plowing Match & Rural Expo in Chatham-Kent.
Paul Campbell grew up on his father Lyle’s 150-acre farm in Chatham-Kent. After attending Ridgetown College, he came home to help farm with his dad and brother.
Paul married Janet McFadden in 1991 and bought the farm from his father in 2014.
The farm primarily grows cash crops of corn, soybeans and wheat on 500 acres of land. Conventional tillage is used along with satellite positioning via GPS for spring operation with the goal of continuous soil improvement.
Paul also operates an agricultural-based trucking business.
In prior years, Paul, along with his father and brother fed up to 500 cattle, 100 sows and 40 sheep annually. They also had standardbred horses.
The Campbells are involved in the Chatham-Kent 4-H Association, the Chatham-Kent Plowmen’s Association, their church and other community events and organizations.
Dedicated to agriculture and the rural way of life, 11 families received the 2019 BMO Ontario Farm Family Award on Sept. 21 at this year’s IPM. This award, handed out by BMO Bank of Montreal in co-operation with the Ontario Plowmen’s Association, recognizes recipient families’ focus on sustainability, community involvement, land stewardship and adaptability in their farm management practices.
