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mo sa ool way of life but it's not for everyone By Heather McCrae Farm & Rural Life SOMEONE were to ask Mary Benschop if she'd recommend farming, she'd likely answer this way: "It's one of the best ways of life, but," she cautions, "I can't recommend it for everyone". "Several decisions you make on a farm can be a matter of life and death. You have to be firm, know what you're doing and really want to do it (farming)". . Mary knows a lot about farming. After all, she was brought up on a farm near Sandford. When Mary married Bastiaan Benschop, a Port Perry farmer, in 1979, she was teaching at a public school in Oshawa. Over the next couple of years two significant things occurred, which have enhanced her life since. First, she became a Christian in 1980. And a year later became a mother to their firstborn, Elizabeth. Still teaching at that time, she learned from students that their parents were often gone from the home early in the morning until late at night. "This was quality time they weren't sharing as a fami- ly," she said. She began to seriously think about home teaching her children. After Elizabeth, Joanna and Gabriel were born and became school age, Mary chose to home teach instead of having her children attend public school. "I felt my occupation was to be a housewife, mother, and now, educator," she said. And her love and hard work has paid off. Joanne will be in Grade 8 this fall, while Gabriel wll be studying Grade 7 subjects. After Elizabeth graduated from Grade 8 she attended Cartwright High School, and will be entering Grade 10 this fall. While Mary could have taught Elizabeth after public school, the family felt the high school's current equip- ment and te chnology could offer more over home education. And their choices have paid off. "They can do practically everything, whether it be in the house, the barn or around the farm," Mary says. "They can all cook, clean, run the milker, or feed the animals." And the family does everything as a unit. "We do everything together. It's a real blessing for us to (1c : ] Wehr Boe on jeke ~ | TRO GRAINS FERTILIZER ni FEEDS BEANS Receiving in Season: WHEAT + SPRING GRAINS "Our modern facilities mean less waiting time for you - We can unload up to 10,000 bushels an hour." Operating Extended Hours | for Harvest » Commodity Contracts Available ® Serving Agriculture in Ontario for over sixty years. (705) 277-2002 or 1-800-461-7674 Corners of Hwy. 35 & 7A SEEDS be able to do things as a unit," she smiled. Since Mary became a Christian in 1980, the family has become inter- ested in missionary work. After Elizabeth was born in 1981, the family went to their first Christian retreat the next year. Even after Joanna's birth in 1983 and Gabriel's arrival almost two years later, they continued to attend these retreats until 1990. Getting away from the farm : hasn't been too much of a hassle, as they've always had a dependable hired man and Bastiaan's father was there to help, too. When the couple's missionary work began to take them abroad, each one would go at separate times so someone was always at home. § Bastiaan has travelled to Russia § twice since 1991 and went to India earlier this year. Mary's also been to Russia and § Israel, constantly handing out Bibles and sharing the good news. "It's nice one of us can stay at home and run the farm while the other is away. This way we can stay with the children too," Mary said. During Mary's adolescent years she was in the local beef and home economics 4-H clubs. All three children have followed suit, and are currently in the Durham West 4-H Veterinary Science and Dairy calf clubs. - The children are also involved in several sports and church activities, and take piano lessons. Although the family bought a computer a year ago, i ! haven't conquered it yet," Mary laughed. "Bastiaan doesn't use the computer at all, but we in it for the kids as they've taken computer courses." While Mary and Bastiaan have pursued a life in agri- culture, they're unsure if the children will follow in their footsteps. "I don't know. Although they have their skills and knowledge about farming now, we want them to get a 66 Brock St. East (same building as Stevenson RV) "New" & Used Tires Full Mechanical & Safety Checks Wagons and Farm Gates. «= For information on how to advertise in Farm and Country Life - please call Gail Morse at The Port Perry Star - (905) 985-7383 Another thing and more i a vision my peop Tees farmer': 53 ict a "She's part of ev on the new shed being built, driver or always being on ¢ the equipment that just broke there for support and en "It's very challenging, * Push-button b-wheel drive power shen i i Troan ATV muss ad tv bien by mone ander 18 Jn dans or call Par of 130302 End ATVs a be Ra Ag and rv orn pages PR Pubares lodusteons fin