Klaver presents to council, says association hopes to host match

BY SHAWN LOUGHLIN

Huron County Queen of the Furrow Maranda Klaver - now officially the longest tenured queen in Huron County history, due to the COVID-19 pandemic - recently brought Huron County Council up to speed on the county’s upcoming plowing match.

Currently, the match has been scheduled for Aug. 19-20 as a come-and-go competition with no Queen of the Furrow or Princess competition. However, Klaver said many things were still subject to change, with the provincial government entering Step 3 of its reopening strategy and a meeting of the Huron County Plowmen’s Association executive both taking place this week. There would also be no displays or banquet, though Klaver reminded everyone with her presentation that everything is subject to change due to constantly shifting rules and regulations.

She also noted that, for the second year in a row, the International Plowing Match had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Klaver also took the opportunity to reflect on her time as the Queen of the Furrow. She was crowned in 2019 at the Dykstra farm in Howick. She won the plowing award in the competition and spoke on the  mental health of farmers, something that has only become more important in the ensuing years.

That year, Grace Hallahan was also crowned the Princess. Hallahan has also retained her crown as the pandemic has worn on. 
Warden Glen McNeil thanked Klaver for her presentation and said she has made all of Huron County Council proud during her reign as Queen of the Furrow.

For more news on the Huron County Plowing Match, keep checking back with The Citizen.