A 20 minute walk west along LaSalle line from Parkplace One – then known as Bear Creek Farms, through the creek valley and just beyond the highway, there was a fine farm. Farmers near & far admired the land Ab Squires farmed and as Ab grew older and less able to keep up with farm rigours, many considered its future. Young Gordie of Bear Creek Farms was a junior farmer with an eye on this property. This farm was situated not too far but not to close for mutual farming with his father. One day he and his dad stopped in to visit Ab Squire with The question.
The three farmers greeted each other politely and – given the days workload, got down to business. “Would you sell the farm, Ab? Gordon would like to buy it.”
In the ensuing discussion Ab demanded top price for ‘100 acres of the finest land around’. Gordon & His father scratched their head and sighed quietly. They knew the land. They had tilled land all around this farm for a number of years in their paid custom farming operation.
Gordie & his father also knew their minds, they knew the frustrations & limitations of farming, early mornings, back- breaking labour, unpredictable prices, how new machinery, technology and economies of scale were changing their work. It made them sign. They knew the faith they had practiced and how this faith would be required not only to pay the highest price but also to work the land to make it pay.
They would not betray their integrity so the agreement was made and the highest price in the county was paid. In the days to come Ab Squires would boast of his shrewd negotiation to the whole community, and the weeks worn on.
A few months later, a knock came to the Park Farm. Gordie & his newly wedded wife – as they stayed with his parents awaiting the Squires farm deal to be settled, went to open the door.
At the door stood Ab Squires with a stern look in his eyes. The older farmer welcomed him in, but Ab stayed at the threshold, and relayed the information that another farm had been sold for a greater amount than he was going to be paid. He wanted more.
Gordie looked to his father, and saw the righteous anger rise in his dad. His father’s index finger – which had been shortened by a half in a farming accident, rose to sit a few inches twitching in Ab’s face, and He said.
“You will not get one penny more. We had a deal. Go home.”
Ab realized his greed, admitted his deal and obliged … but not without response. When Gordie and his, pregnant wife moved into Parkplace Farm, every light fixture & bulb, door knob, shovel… any thing not bolted down had been removed.
Within a few months Parkplace Farm had a new arrival, Catherine Elizabeth, queen of the siblings, as the family and the farm began to grow.
Farming Faith: When you make a deal in faith, with integrity, regardless of response, be confident & stand your ground!
Farming Faith 