A fourth-generation family farm, it is the invaluable help of family and friends that keeps the operation, originally a dairy farm, going strong. Indeed, many families visiting the farm return yearly and have been spreading the word! Many new visitors to the farm have heard about it from their friends and family and quickly become repeat visitors after this particular farm steals their hearts.
The invaluable help of family and friends keeps the Knox farm, originally a dairy farm, going strong.
“Many people have strong ties to this property,” says Mr. Knox, “and by everyone pitching in day after day, we’re able to offer the public a glimpse of life on a farm, as it was a century ago, as it is today, and as it will hopefully be a century from now.”
The Knox Family has been farming in Durham since 1832. On arrival from Scotland in 1832, Alexander Knox hand-built a stone house for his wife Jean and their nine children.
Seven generations later, the Knox farming traditions are still strong, and we continue to give back to our community and help others learn about agriculture, food and farming in Ontario.
These local, provincial and federal contributions have been recognized with inductions into the Order of Canada, the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame, and the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame, and by receiving Grand Champion at the Royal Winter Fair, honourary doctorates, and recognitions from 4-H, Junior Farmers and the local community. We even have a few (dairy) princess ambassadors in the family!
Nestled in the countryside, this historic farm offers lots of fun for the whole family. Young and old alike delight in offering fall activities, including thousands of pumpkins and fall decor, wagon rides, farm animals, a straw jump, and pony rides, along with a snack shack, fresh kettle corn, and hot apple cider. Winter features Santa himself, horse-drawn wagon rides and cozy campfires. The genuine farm atmosphere and century-old trees that frame hundreds of orange-hued pumpkins and fall activities all add to the ideal family outing.
The farmhouse was built 136 years ago, in 1887, to replace the log cabin which originally stood just south of it.
Jordan Van Nest (son of John Van Nest and Lydia Trull), his wife Edith, and their ten children were the first of many since to slide down the banister and play in the ‘big room’ with its seven doors. Today, four generations of Knox descendants come ‘home’ for the harvest…and to welcome you all back for some pumpkins, ponies and popcorn!
