Farming goes way back in Brooklin In the 19th and 20th centuries, Brooklin and farming were synonymous. Now, with all its new development and the construction associated with the expansion of Hwy. 407, it can be difficult to imagine a time when Brooklin merely consisted of a small downtown core surrounded by acres of farmland. But in earlier times, farming was so entrenched in the community that the economic development of Brooklin was dependent on it. If you read through any of the Brooklin Spring Fair programs of the 20th century, you will be able to see just how closely Brooklin and farming were connected. Many of the local businesses sold goods (animal feed, coke, lime, etc.) and services (veterinarians, crop storage) to support local farmers; and secondary industries, such as cheese and milk production, played an important role in the success of the village. For these reasons, the young people of Brooklin and, more broadly, Ontario, were encouraged to learn the basics of running a farm through membership in a local branch of the Junior Farmer's Association, which received financial and educational support from the Ontario Department of Agriculture. The Brooklin Junior Farmers' Association was founded in 1937 and the Whitby Archives is lucky enough to have the correspondence of Matthew Agar, who served as the group's secretary for a number of years. The file consists of letters to and from the Department of Agriculture concerning educational courses, the running of plowing matches, seed fairs, judged competitions, and advice from provincial veterinarians on the health of Brooklin's animals. In the group's 1941 newsletter, we learn that in the annual Short Course, offered to all boys and those girls taking household science and nursing, students were given lessons on halter-making, rope-splicing, and knots; lectures were presented on a variety of topics from crops, livestock, feeds and feeding, animal breeds, weed control, grain diseases and, my personal favourite, swine marketing. Afternoons at the course were spent judging dairy and beef cattle, sheep and horses so that the students could easily identify the different breeds and what to look for in a healthy animal. There was also a social aspect to the Junior Farmers' Associations. The Brooklin chapter often held dances and picnics and its members travelled to Uxbridge on a number of occasions to participate in various activities there. The Ontario Junior Farmers' Association is still active today with chapters in different communities across Ontario, including Durham Region. The goal of the association is to 'build future rural leaders through self-help and community betterment.' Although the Brooklin Junior Farmers' Association is no longer running, certainly Brooklin still maintains close ties to its farming roots with events such as the Brooklin Spring Fair and Harvest Festival, which both celebrate the community's farming history. Sarah Ferencz is the archivist at the Whitby Public Library. Contact her at archives@whitbylibrary.on.ca durhamregion.com The Citizen April 18, 2014 5 Sarah Ferencz Whitby Public Library WHITBY -- The Ontario County Junior Farmers had an entry in the 1975 World Plowing Match in Oshawa-Whitby. Photo courtesy of Whitby Archives Brooklin club hosts Victorian Tea May 10 BROOKLIN -- Step back in time for an elegant afternoon at Group 74's 14th annual Victorian Tea on May 10. The event welcomes women of all ages to dress up in their favourite spring ensemble and bonnet and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in good company. Group 74 is a non-profit women's organization founded in Brooklin in 1974 to promote community spirit and good will. Members have donated to various local organizations, including the Brooklin library. This year's Victorian Tea includes a purse auction, flower face painting, a prize table and a special appearance by the "Garden Fairy." Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under with all proceeds going to the Brooklin Community Archives Project and Distress Centre Durham. The Victorian Tea will be held on Saturday, May 10 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Barnes Memorial Funeral Home, 5295 Thickson Rd. N., Whitby. Guests are asked to bring along a tea cup and saucer. To purchase tickets or for more information, send an e-mail to group74@hotmail.ca