Coulson Past and Present
The Woodrow Farm:
farming at Coulson
for over 90 years!
— by Anne Walker
For many decades the skyline north of Coulson has been defined by the tall silos of the Woodrow Farm. The Woodrow family has deep agricultural roots in Oro-Medonte and has been farming at Coulson for over 90 years.
James Woodrow was the grandson of settlers from Islay, Scotland who came to Oro Township in 1835. In 1935, James and his wife Mary (Martin) acquired the east half of Lot 3, Concession 6 in Medonte and added the west half in 1942. It was a life of hard work. Like most farms in the area, the Woodrows had a mixed farm operation. They milked cows, shipped cream, raised pigs, chickens and a few sheep. Of course, heavy horses were used to work the fields.
An addition was made to the barn in the 40s and a silo was built—at first a wooden one that was later replaced by a concrete structure. Mary carried water up to the farmhouse from a nearby spring until Jimmie dug a well closer to home. As the years went on, tractors replaced the horses. The first tractor was purchased co-operatively and shared with three neighbouring farmers. Jim and Mary raised five children: four daughters (Margaret, Marie, Jean, Alice) and one son (Donald). The children attended Coulson School and did their homework by lamplight until hydro came to the farm in the 1940s.
Donald Woodrow was born to be a farmer. As well as working with his father from a young age, he was active in the 4-H Calf Club and the Junior Farmers. In fact, as a teen he was chosen to represent the North Simcoe Junior Farmers on a trip to the United Nations in New York City. Don eventually took over the family farm and added the neighbouring Fagan farm to the operation in 1963.
Don and his wife Carolyn (Edwards) raised three children: Heather, Krista and Kevin. They focused on raising beef cattle and constructed the two tall concrete silos. Although they are no longer in use, the silos still stand as local landmarks. Don was a dedicated and active member of the agricultural community. He belonged to the local Cattlemen’s Association, serving as president, and was also president of the Coldwater Fall Fair from 1997 to 1999. He was involved in local politics and was elected to Medonte Township Council and to Simcoe County Council. Don and Carolyn retired to a new home built on the farm in 2007.
Current farmer, Kevin Woodrow, is the third generation to work this land. Like his father, he entered the farming business at a young age. When he was 12 he was raising rabbits for meat and by his mid-teens had bought his first cows to raise veal calves. He bought his first combine at age 18 and began a custom combining business for local farmers. After spending some time away, he returned to the farm, running his own operation alongside his dad’s.
The two businesses were eventually merged and today focus on beef cattle, cash crops and custom farming. Like all farm kids, Kevin has fond memories of his childhood which include playing in the barn with cousins, threshing grain with the old threshing machine, and having “corn fights” (use your imagination!). Kevin and his wife Andrea have two sons. While he encourages his children to find their own path and doesn’t expect them to farm unless they want to, he hopes the land stays in the family for a long time to come.
