Dodds Century Farms hosts memorable 97th Huron County Plowing Match

BY SCOTT STEPHENSON

Over 300 visitors and 30 competitors came out to the 97th Annual Huron County Plowing Match last week to celebrate farming tradition and community spirit.

 

Huron County Plowmen’s Association (HCPA) President Steve Hallahan was pleased with the event’s success. “The weather was perfect, and when you looked out over the field, a lot of the dirt was turned over pretty good. We had a nice chunk of land to work with this year,” he said.

 

The field at the Dodds family farm outside of Seaforth was worked by a lot of strong competitors, but there could be only one victor in each class. In the Junior Green Class, first place went to RJ Townsend, and the top prize in the Junior Intermediate category was awarded to Jessalyn Hendriks. In the Junior Experienced division, Clayton Hern came out on top.

 

In the Open Senior 2 Furrow class Brian Davenport’s furrows were just a little bit straighter than the rest. In the Reversible class Tom Evans took top honours. In the Antique Trail class first place went to Ken Milligan. In the Antique Mounted class, Paul Hodgson reigned supreme.

 

In the Horse Walking Plow division first place went to John DeKroon. DeKroon may have been the only entry in his division, but he and his horses put on an impressive performance regardless. 

 

A number of County Awards were also handed out - the Huron County Champion Junior Plower title went to Clayton Hern, while the Reserve Champion Junior Plower was Dugald McIntosh. The Val-Lea Award for youngest plower at the county match was presented to Keith DeKroon. The Warden’s Award and McGavin’s Award were both awarded to Jessalyn Hendriks, who also received the Huron County Plowmen’s Scholarship Award.

 

On the senior side, the Huron County Champion Senior Plower was Brian McGavin, and the Reserve Champion Plower was Lucas Townsend.

 

The Antique Plowing Champion was Ken Milligan. The Don Dodds Visitors Award, presented to the top out-of-county competitor, went to Tom Evans. The Best Going Plow Team award went to John DeKroon.

 

Thursday, Aug. 14, was Junior Day. Dugald McIntosh placed first overall, earning the title of Junior Day Champion, while Clayton Hern was named Junior Day Reserve Champion.

 

The Ross Gordon Memorial Award for top 4-H Crown was awarded to Hern, while the William Leeming Memorial Award for top 4-H Finish went to McIntosh.

 

The Queen of the Furrow competition took place in the afternoon. Hallahan praised the program, saying, “We’re proud of that program - we’re sending young people up the ladder. Our outgoing Queen, Mackenzie Terpstra, did a great job on her presentation and chairing the whole competition, and I think our new Queen for this year is pretty excited.”

 

Huron County Warden Jamie Heffer also commended Terpstra. “You’ve been a wonderful representative for both our county and the HCPA,” he said in his introductory speech. “We are grateful for the time that you have given and the way that you’ve shared Huron County’s story everywhere that you have gone.”

 

This year’s new Queen, Gracie Hoggarth, faced strong competition in the public speaking portion of the contest. Each of the four competitors came prepared with compelling comments on facets of agriculture about which they are passionate. Aspiring veterinarian Emmy Cronin, inspired the crowd with a bit of scientific philosophy. “I’d like to share just a few of the lessons that agriculture can teach each and every one of us,” she said. “The smallest things can have the greatest impact…The farm is proof that small acts, sustained over time, like a kind word to a stranger, a smile to a neighbour, a good morning to anyone around you - can make the largest difference.”

 

Brook Hendriks, who has worked for Huron Health Systems in Goderich while building her beef herd, added a light-hearted perspective. “Farmers’ daughters are a tough lot… some of the life lessons you learn early on are: if you want something bad enough, work hard for it, and do it yourself. Two: always help others that are in need, give more and expect less. Three: many hands make light work. Four: always remember to shut the gate.”

 

Queenie Pentland spoke passionately about her family’s herd of Speckled Park cattle. “I'm here today to tell you all about the only ‘Made in Canada’ beef breed: the beautiful Speckled Park,” she explained. “We enjoy raising our herd, in all the different patterns they throw, and we just adore the calves.”

 

Ultimately, it was Hoggarth’s impassioned speech about the importance of agricultural education that secured her the crown. “Here we are in one of the most agriculturally-rich provinces in Canada, with over 48,000 farms growing more than 200 different commodities, but for many young people, especially those growing up in urban areas, never get the opportunity to learn where their food comes from, how it’s grown, or who grows it,” she said. “Agriculture isn’t just about farming. It’s science, technology, business and sustainability. It’s tied to climate change and food security, and innovation, and yet it’s barely present in our school curriculum. If we want to build a generation that understands agriculture, we need to start at elementary school where kids are curious and open to learning new things.”

 

The Princess competition also returned, with Lillian Beyersbergen-Oakes taking the crown. It was the fourth time competing for the new Princess, who certainly destroyed the competition in the pun section of the event with her busy speech about bees.
The soil and crop demonstration highlighted emerging technology, including small robots applying nitrogen between corn rows under the watch of drones. “It’s kind of hard to believe that this might be the technology in the next few years,” Hallahan said.
For Hallahan, the event represents the best of Huron County. “It was a fun day - all day long, you’re talking to people, and everybody there is interested in the same thing that you are. You see the Princess program, the Queen program, you sit down for a roast beef dinner, and give out some scholarships,” he said. “It’s really a celebration of what agriculture can do in Huron County.”

 

All in all, it was a memorable match.