Korny Korners Farm
Korny Korners FarmOne look at the name and you just know Korny Korners Farm is a fun place to visit. "It’s a fifth generation, over a century-old farm," says owner Roger Thurston, 74. "I have been working here all my life. It has transitioned over the years and about 10 years ago we started to take our produce and tourism more seriously."
Korny Korners Farm in Lambton, Ont., is a wonderful attraction whose grounds include a mini putt, a petting farm, woodland trails, two playgrounds, a giant covered sandbox, ring toss, outdoor bowling and an annual corn maze. "It is a work in progress," says Roger’s son Caleb, 36. "We keep on expanding and adding and trying to raise what we offer the public as far as produce and entertainment. I’d have to agree with my dad that in the past decade produce has taken a really big step. The name Korny Korners has probably been around for about 20 years." The farm was actually named Korny Korners by Roger’s wife, Margo. "We started selling sweet corn from the corner of Blackwell Sideroad and Michigan Line in Lambton and that’s when my wife came up with the name," Roger says. Between side road corn and their annual corn maze, the name just makes sense. "People seem to love the corn maze. Besides, we’re corny people," shares Caleb.
Caleb is the first to admit he loves everything about working at the farm, but it wasn’t always that way. "In my late teens and most of my 20s I was trying to find my way," Caleb says. "When I was growing up, I helped on the farm because I had to and it kind of pushed me away for a bit. But I found my way back to the farm and I’m glad I did." On the verge of turning 30, Caleb returned home to help out on the farm. "I was getting nowhere in life, so my dad and I had a discussion and he welcomed me back. I am happy to be here."
Roger and Caleb hired Erin DeLong to be the farm’s manager a few years ago. "She has done a fantastic job managing the market and helping us promote the farm on social media," Caleb says. "My dad and I are too busy to do that stuff." Korny Korners Farm can host up to three school classes a day during the week and had plenty of families visiting on weekends. "The school kids seem to really enjoy our farm," Caleb says. "We do hay rides through the pumpkin patch and the kids get to pick their own pie pumpkins and a classroom pumpkin as well."
As well as onions, spinach, rhubarb, asparagus and other produce, Korny Korners Farm also sells hormone/antibiotic-free beef and pork. "I love growing produce and raising animals," Caleb says. "It’s kind of hard to see them go, but they sure taste good." Caleb says he takes delight in seeing smiling faces at the farm. "I love having people learn our history and we are very proud of what we have built."
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