Martin & Ann Hamming
Martin
I was born in Aduard, The Netherlands, where my father hauled milk from farm to factory with horse and wagon. After WWII, this job was no longer available to him, and since he really wanted to farm, he responded to his brother’s encouragement to join him in BC. So, my parents and their three sons immigrated in 1950.
Dad started working for a farmer in Fort Langley, and a year later we moved to the Pitt Polder, where Dad was farming and building dykes. Our parents worked hard and as a family we had great times together. We enjoyed lots of new experiences in Canada, and my parents certainly appreciated what they had. While they were glad that they had immigrated, the first number of years were difficult, especially for my mother. Three more children had been born, and with a small, two-bedroom house without hot water and only an outhouse, life was not easy!
Even though he worked long hours and money was tight, Dad was involved in our church and helped to start the Christian school. I am the oldest of nine children, all of whom enjoyed life on the dairy farm.
At the age of 15, I quit school to help my Dad. One year later, I started working in construction as a drywaller for ten years.
I have volunteered on several boards such as Ladner Christian School (now Delta Christian), the BC Holstein Association. WestGen, and the Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust. At LCRC, I have served several terms on council and am now chair of the maintenance committee.
My favourite Bible passage is Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Ann
I was born in Nieuwschoot, The Netherlands. My parents wanted better farming opportunities, so they immigrated to Canada with three daughters in 1951. There was an opening for a milker on the Bose farm in Surrey, so that is where we landed.
Dad worked there for five years, and then we moved to Newton where Dad found work in a mill. From there, we moved to Glover Road in Langley. Dad bought a few cows for himself so he could start farming while continuing to work at the mill. It was at that time that I learned how to milk cows.
When I was eleven, we moved to the Pitt Polder right beside Martin’s family’s farm. I am the oldest of six children (five girls and one boy). When I was fifteen, I left school so that I could help on the farm. I also worked at a tree nursery, which I loved. I learned how to make cuttings for new trees and how to harvest large trees that were ready for sale, putting them in a burlap sack and tying them with rope. That was my first paying job.
Since Martin and I were neighbours, and attended the same church and Christian School, it was easy to become friends. Martin was president of our Young People’s Society [youth group], and I was the secretary. We began dating when we were eighteen. We were engaged in 1966 and married the next year. Our first home was in Maple Ridge where Martin was working as a drywaller. We were blessed with three children while in Maple Ridge.
In 1974, we moved to Ladner to start farming. We were blessed with two more children. The original owners of our farm were wonderful people and they made it possible for us to buy the farm in 1984. This couple became grandparents to our children. We never dreamed we would be farming in Delta but believe that God brought us here.
Our daughter Christina and husband Rob live in Langley where they manage a poultry farm. Our son Perry and his wife Angela have taken over our family farm. Martin and his wife Jennifer live in Manitoba where they own a dairy farm. Our daughter Julie lives in Tsawwassen—she is currently on medical leave. Our youngest, Keith, and his wife Sonya live in Alberta where Keith works as a crane operator. We have 15 grandchildren. We are truly blessed!
I have enjoyed working at home. My main job is in the home and doing yard work. I do enjoy reading a good book. I am a deacon aide and also volunteer in the church nursery. I enjoy helping others.
We are now semi-retired. For us, this means we can work when we want to! Martin gets up early to do chores in the heifer barn and helps with tractor work. We have done some travelling which we enjoyed; in 2019, we travelled across Canada coming back through the US. While we were in Kentucky, we were able to see the replica of Noah’s ark and enjoyed the Creation Museum.
Our parents loved the Lord and brought us up in the Christian faith. Faith gives us comfort that God is in control and that He loves us. My favourite passage is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”