County Recognition – Allan Bigelow
A fourth generation farmer in the community, Allan Bigelow’s family has been farming in the township for more than 150 years.
While he currently resides on Larmer Line, Allan Bigelow still owns and farms one of his great- great- grandfather John Bigelow’s properties on Dranoel Rd. which John purchased in 1865. Alan’s ancestors eventually accumulated 950 acres along that road during the period from 1865 until the 1990’s .
The Bigelow family operated a mixed farm operation, harvesting maple syrup and firewood from the more than 50 acres of hardwood bush on the Dranoel properties. While Allan has always farmed the properties, he also worked off the farm, settling into a long career with General Motors in Oshawa after working out west for a brief period. Allan still owns 270 acres in the township. He manages a herd of 40 Charlolais/Limousine cows and 20 calves on his farm on Larmer Line, growing feed for them at his Larmer home and at the family homestead on Dranoel Road. This year his 65 maple syrup taps produced more than 102 litres of syrup, something of a record in his books. In his spare time he helps out his neighbours with some custom work on their fields and demonstrating some fancy footwork with several square dancing groups. KG
