Gaylon Crain was born in Bath, New Brunswick in 1941 to William and Carrie (DeMerchant) Crain. He was sixth in a family of 16, five sisters and 10 brothers. He grew up on his parents’ farm in Piercemont, and became acquainted with mixed- farming life at a young age. At the age of 15, he finished his formal schooling and went to work in a lumber camp, yarding and loading logs in the day of horsepower and rail transport. He also worked for a brief period in construction work in Ontario before returning to farm work as an employee of Alex and Douglas MacIntosh in Bath. He also worked in the construction of the Northern Carleton Hospital in Bath. In 1962, he married Alice Broad and together they raised three daughters: Beverly, Gail and Robin. He took great pride in his children and seven grandchildren and looked forward to family time together. A hearty meal with all his family around the table was what he considered a special occasion. With a strong desire to farm on his own, in 1964 at the age of 23, he planted his first potato crop on 15 acres of land belonging to William Pierce in Piercemont. With the proceeds from this crop and a small bank loan, he purchased his own mixed-farm in Piercemont in 1965, within eyesight of his father’s farm.

His passion for farming was the driving force in his life and he gained great joy and personal satisfaction from watching his family and farm flourish. In the early years as his potato crop increased, he continued to provide potatoes for McCain Foods, marketing many by rail through Ervine Canam in Upper Kent, and also exporting potatoes by ship from Saint John. Farming opportunities soon also included employment of three of his younger brothers: Wavel, Hugh John and David. Eventually, they became an integral part of the day-to-day operation. Gaylon’s ability to manage and direct farming operations lead to increased production, a greater variety of crops, improved machinery and additional acreage. Over the years, his leadership has developed what is known today as Crain Farms Ltd. - farming as much as 1300 acres and growing as many as 500 acres of potatoes. His farming operation was named 14 times in the McCain Potato Growers Top 10 and named three times as the Champion Grower. In 1993, his farming operation was featured in the Canadian Farming Magazine.

Gaylon’s hard work and dedication to the farming industry has had a positive influence on the community around him. His honesty, generosity, quiet demeanour and ability to work with people are only a few of his leadership qualities. He met and talked regularly with local growers to discuss their challenges, new practices and new equipment that would promote growth in the potato industry. He was well respected in the community for his advice and guidance and was considered a role model in farm and business management. Gaylon believed the potato industry was of vital importance to our region and that increasing production, quality and yield could employ more local people, benefit more local business and shift the declining relevance of New Brunswick farms. He believed in the work ethics of local people and our ability to provide quality farm-grown foods to a world market. 

He saw the importance of experimenting with new varieties and adapting to our changing climate and environment. He has been part of many potato variety trials including the Shepody, Brandon, Ranger Russet, Bristol Hawk, Borden and Highland varieties. He was one of the first farmers to realize the importance and benefit of crop rotation in order to maintain suitable soil organic matter for long-term potato production. Over time, he experimented with various rotation crops to find which practice achieved the highest potato quality and yield. His proven rotation practices were soon the habit of other local farmers. Gaylon also saw the benefits of updating machinery and adapting to new technology and practices in order to improve efficiency and crop quality. He experimented with newer potato cultivators and his farm was among the first to embrace the Thomas B88 Air Vac potato harvester and the improved Axial Flow combines. He ventured into potato crop irrigation in order to improve yield during dry summers. He maximized use of his land base by clearing additional acreage and draining land considered too wet to support quality potato growth. He changed farming practices to prevent soil erosion and added water ways that would sustain the land base and allow future potato crops to flourish. His vision and leadership consistently promoted the growth of the potato industry and the importance of family farming operations in his surrounding community. He dedicated much of his time to promoting what was considered a family business and ensuring his farming practices would sustain not only his generation but also the next generation of farmers. He encouraged young people to be involved in farming and today the operation includes his daughters, three brothers, their sons and other nephews and extended family.

Gaylon believed in supporting and encouraging local business. He was one of the first farmers to invest in and support Northern Carleton Potato Packers, a facility which is known today as Mountain View Packers. He intentionally shopped local and hired local business to support his farming operation. He had a heart for people and supported local charities, musicians, pastors and frequently assisted under-privileged people and families. He was also an avid supporter of the Billy Graham Association. Gaylon had a genuine love for family and farming and believed both could achieve great things.