Kevin and Carolyn Lawrence are planning a trip next month that most farmers only dream about.
The Manor, Sask., couple will be walking into their Farm Credit Corp. office and paying off the loan on their farm.
The Lawrences held one of three winning lottery tickets on the April 29 $15 million Lotto 6-49 jackpot and collected a $5 million cheque earlier this month in Winnipeg.
The money couldn’t have come at a better time.
“With us, things were pretty grim,” said Carolyn.
“We were wondering what we were going to do this spring. Everybody around here’s finding it pretty tough.”
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She laughed when asked if they received a payment this spring from the Agricultural Income Disaster Assistance program.
“I don’t imagine many guys here did. We didn’t.”
But seeding worries were laid to rest on May 4 when Carolyn walked into Ramsey Drugs in Carlyle, Sask., to check her lottery ticket, just as she has done for the past 15 years. She wasn’t prepared for the news she got from the store manager.
“My heart was just a thumping,” she said.
“The manager said, ‘this can’t be right … but the machine’s never been wrong before.’ “
She said it was a long drive back to Manor to find Kevin, who happened to meet her on the highway as he drove from the field to get fertilizer.
“I could tell something was the matter as soon as I saw her,” Kevin said. “Then she pulled out a little bag and showed me the ticket. I was a little excited … not jumping around or anything, but I was pretty excited.”
The money has been invested in a 30-day term deposit so the family can decide what to do next. They have, however, already made one purchase.
“We called Kevin’s brother on our way to Winnipeg (to claim their prize) and told him to go to Bourgault and get that new air seeder Kevin’s been wanting,” Carolyn said.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s run all from the tractor. It’s quite the thing.”
She said their neighbors are thrilled with the news.
“Everyone is just so happy that a farmer won it.”
The Lawrences have seven quarters of land and 100 head of cattle and have farmed near Carlyle for the past 10 years.
“We’re newcomers compared to the other guys around here,” Carolyn said.
“We farm with Kevin’s brother and Dad. I don’t think we would have made it this far without their help.”
Kevin has been supplementing the family income working on an oil drilling rig during the winters and will be happy not to head out again after harvest.
“I love the field work and being out on my own,” he said.
“Farming is a great job … it’s the money you have to worry about. Now we can just enjoy it.”
Kevin and Carolyn plan to share part of their winnings with family, take their two children, ages 9 and 7, on a trip to Disneyland, and buy a new minivan. But Kevin said he’ll keep a close eye on spending.
“Before I go broke, I’ll quit farming, that’s for sure.”
