Long known for its rich farmland and agricultural traditions, this community will lay claim to plowing fame at several levels over the year ahead.
While area residents will have to wait until the fall of 2016 for the International Plowing Match (IPM), local plowing skills will be on display at the Wellington County Plowing Match on Aug. 20.
The Wellington match will be held on the farm of Gordon and Anne South, on Wellington Road 109 between Teviotdale and Harriston, right across the road from the site of the 2016 IPM.
“Our association and volunteers work hard planning and organizing to bring to you the local match, with many skilled competitors,” states Wellington County Plowmen’s Association president David Rogerson in a message to visitors.
“You will have the chance to view plowing techniques that were used in the past and more modern forms as well. During the local match we will also be hosting the plowing portion of the Queen of the Furrow Competition. It should be an exciting day.”
Rogerson notes the local event will be a “fun-filled day with plowing, food and friendship” with free admission and parking on the grounds.
One of the skilled local competitors involved in last year’s county match will represent Canada at a global plowing competition in Denmark next year. Minto resident Carman Weppler placed first in the Senior Conventional Plow class at the CanPlow2014 competition. The win means he will represent Canada at the World Ploughing Championship in Denmark this October. Plowing enthusiasts and local residents can follow Weppler’s progress online at http://worldploughing.org.
Next September, Wellington County will host the 2016 IPM. Planning has been underway for more than a year and Rogerson says he is “thrilled” the event will be returning to the county.
“The organizing committee is working hard in preparation for this huge event,” he stated, adding volunteers and sponsors will be the key to the success of the event. For more information go to http://www.plowingmatch.org/home-2016.
