The Legacy of Cron Family Farm: Nearly 200 Years in London's Rich Farming History

In the heart of Southwestern Ontario lies the Cron family farm, a testament to nearly 200 years of dedication and heritage. Kevin Cron, proudly displaying a deed signed by Queen Victoria in 1853, traces his family's roots back to 1832 when his ancestors first acquired this fertile land southwest of London.

As you drive through Ontario’s vast farmland, those old Victorian farmhouses you see are often much more than just picturesque relics. Many, like the Cron family home, remain bustling hubs of agricultural activity. These homes, mostly built from locally sourced yellow-brick clay deposits, are iconic symbols of the region.

"It's always been home to me," said Cron, reflecting on the yellow-brick house where he spent his childhood. Despite having studied in North Bay, Cron acknowledges that no other place has ever replicated the feeling of home that his family farm provides.

The Cron family's story is one of resilience and adaptation. Over the years, they have raised wheat, corn, white beans, cattle, and even 200 dairy goats at one point. Today, although they rent out the cornfields, they still keep horses, maintaining a touch of their farming roots.

The journey hasn't been without challenges. One memorable event for Cron was in 1990 when a tornado wreaked havoc on their farm, destroying a shop, hurling a pickup truck into debris, shattering house windows, and tossing their camper into a tree. Yet, the farm stood resilient, embodying the family's enduring spirit.

With farming costs escalating, Kevin Cron acknowledges the economic pressures that smaller family farms face today. Despite tempting offers for his land, Cron values his family's legacy above financial gain. "To go into farming is so expensive," he said, understanding the true worth of his heritage beyond mere numbers.

Elgin County, part of the region where the Cron farm is located, had the third-highest farmland values in Ontario in 2023, averaging nearly $23,000 an acre. The significant increase in land prices underscores the challenges faced by generational farms in sustaining their legacy.

The Cron farm's lineage began with an Irish immigrant family, the Fultons, who settled the land after disembarking at Port Stanley in 1832. They walked eight kilometers from Lake Erie to establish what would become the Cron farm, a journey that laid the foundation for a lasting heritage.

Like many family-owned farms in Southwestern Ontario, the Cron farm isn't unique in its historical depth but stands out for its unbroken lineage. "I look at my own operation, and I'm the fourth generation on my farm," echoed Ethan Wallace of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, highlighting the rarity yet significance of such farms in modern times.

Cron's children, Clarissa and Owen, represent the next generation eyeing the farm with interest. Clarissa, nearing the completion of her respiratory therapy program, and Owen, an electrical apprentice, both express a fondness for their ancestral land.

One of Cron’s long-term visions is building additional houses on the property to secure the farm’s legacy for future generations. He understands that the current economic climate makes it challenging for young people to own property, thus anchoring his children to the family’s historical land may offer them a viable future.

Kevin Cron hopes that the family farm, with its rich history and cherished memories, will continue to be passed down through future generations. "It's a wonderful place to live and raise a family," he concluded, with a hopeful eye cast towards the horizon.