Volunteers will be needed from the county when Wellington hosts the International Plowing Match in September of 2016, says event chair Ron Faulkner.
“One of challenges is to get volunteers from all over Wellington County, because this match is representative of the whole county,” said Faulkner, deputy mayor of the Town of Minto, who provided an update on preparations for the event to county council on May 28.
While volunteer recruitment efforts in the northern part of the county, where the match will be held on the Harriston-area property of Anne and Earl Schneider, have gone well, Faulkner said a volunteer sign-up event in Marden last fall was “not successful.” He said the local IPM committee is currently “brainstorming’ for ways to attract additional volunteers from a wider area.
“We do need talent from all over the county for this great event,” he noted.
In total, more than 1,200 volunteers will be needed, with the majority active the week before and the week of the match, which is set for Sept. 20 to 24.
Councillor Doug Breen asked if volunteers would need to sign up for the entire match, or if they could volunteer for portions of it.
“We will take them for whatever they can give to the match,” replied Faulkner.
Anyone interested in volunteering can pick up papers at the Town of Minto municipal office. The IPM website www.plowingmatch.org contains information on volunteering and an application form.
Land under contract
Faulkner told council the committee has over 800 acres of land under contract for the match, with plans to sign up for 300 more to provide back up for parking and, if needed, the plowing competitions themselves.
Faulkner said the layout of the land will allow for the location of a recreational vehicle park and the “tented city” on the same plot of land.
“We think we have the perfect location,” said Faulkner. “I think we have the best county to hold this event in.”
Faulkner also noted the IPM committee has partnered with a local quilters association and 4-H groups to do “barn quilts” in the area. The program involves painting a “quilt” on the side or end of a barn.
“There’s actually a tour that goes on … we are now going to be a part of that and I think that’s really exciting.”
A 2016 IPM cook book, featuring over 600 recipes submitted by county residents ,recently went to print and will be available for purchase, Faulkner pointed out.
