Have you ever heard the saying, “a farmer’s handshake” or “you’re only as good as your word”? For me, those aren’t just old clichés—they’re how I try to live. Promises matter. When you break one, it feels like turning something you said was true into a lie—and who wants that hanging over their head? Not me, that’s for sure.
Last fall, I promised many customers that we’d deliver lamb for Christmas. I knew how important it was to be part of holiday plans, and I was excited to help make Christmas dinners special. But then the postal strike hit, and suddenly, parcel shipping across Canada ground to a halt.
Now, imagine me standing in the barn, scratching my head, wondering, What the heck do I do now? I was in a real pickle (not the tasty kind). The lamb needed to get there, but how? Truthfully, there wasn’t much debate in my mind. My only answer: Me and my trusty farm truck were about to rack up some serious miles.
The plans were set, and after a few weather delays, I hit the road. Day one was the warm-up: Tupperville (near Chatham, in case you didn’t know) to Guelph, then down to the Niagara region and back. Not bad for starters.
Then came days two and three—the real adventure. First up, a 6 ½ hour drive to French River for the first delivery. That sorted, I pushed on to Ottawa for the night. After a quick sleep, I made a few more drops in Ottawa before heading to Toronto to wrap up the trip.
It was a whirlwind, but I have to admit, meeting so many of you along the way was a treat. Plus, taking a break from chores for a couple of days? Let’s just say the sheep didn’t miss me as much as I thought they might.
Now, let me be real: Was this a great business decision? Let’s just say my accountant probably wouldn’t call it a winning strategy. But honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. As I settled into the Christmas holidays, I felt proud knowing I kept my word—and happy thinking about the wonderful Christmas dinners enjoyed with our lamb.
Sometimes, doing the right thing isn’t about what makes sense on paper. It’s about sticking to your values, honoring your word, and remembering what matters most. Around here, we call that a farmer’s handshake—and it’s something I’ll always stand by.
Here’s to 2025 and more promises kept (with hopefully less driving)!
Farmer Rod
A Farmer’s Word: Keeping Christmas Promises
