August 29, 2016
1724
Tom Evans of Tiverton (right) has won the Canadian Plowing Championship, and has earned the right to represent Canada at the World Plowing Championship in Kenya, next December.
Representing Bruce County, Evans won the reversible plowing championship with a total of 681 points over three days.
"Team Bruce is very proud of its competitor," said team member Brian Davenport of RR 6, Owen Sound, in a press release. "Tom has put a lot of effort into the competition and has achieved a first for Bruce County."
This will be the second time the World Plowing Organization holds the championship at Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya. The two-day competition takes place Dec. 1-2, 2017.
Special thanks to the following sponsors: Britespan Building Systems, The Davenport Group, Tiverton Agricultural Society, Bruce County Federation of Agriculture, North Grey Plowmen's Association, Keppel Sarawak Plowmen's Association, Kincardine Agricultural Society, and Ripley Agricultural Society. The community has been very supportive of Evans.
You will be able to watch Evans plowing at the Bruce County Plowing Match, Friday, Sept. 2, east of Tiverton.
Team Bruce will be undertaking a large fund-raising program to support the costs associated with getting Evans and his plowing equipment to compete in Kenya. Organization for that will begin shortly.
Background:
Canada has a unique relationship with the World Plowing Championship. Canada was the first country to host the ‘Worlds’ in 1953 in Cobourg, Ontario. It was part of the International Plowing Match hosted there. Representatives from 14 countries travelled to Canada from Europe to participate.
Since then, every year, a competition has been held - last year, it was in Denmark; this year, in York, England; next year, in Kenya; German in 2018; and Ohio, United States, in 2019. At least 30 countries attend these contests from around the world. This started as a post Second World War peace undertaking, supported originally by the Salada Tea Company and Esso Oil and its affiliates.
This is a not-for-profit organization, relying on the greater community to support ongoing efforts. At the Canadian Championship, the contestants are vying for the opportunity to represent Canada at the World Plowing Competition - the “Plowing Olympics."
The nation competition also includes Junior contestants (20 years of age and under); however, a world competition does not exist for them at this time.
Objectives of the Canadian Plowing Organization:
To organize and conduct annual Canadian Championship Plowing contests and declare a Senior Canadian Plowing Champion with conventional plows, a Senior Canadian Plowing Champion with reversible plows and a Junior Canadian Plowing Champion with conventional plows.
To encourage provincial plowing organizations to organize contests and preserve the art of match plowing.
To represent the excellence of Canadian plowing annually at the World Championship Plowing contest.
To stimulate interest in, and provide guidance for, the efficient use of farm machinery.
To demonstrate sound seedbed preparation and conservation practices through use of the plow.
To promote interest in plowing and farm productivity in general amongst government, industry and the public.
To actively promote safety in all farm operations, particularly the safe use and operation of farm machinery.
To utilize the plow to symbolize peace and goodwill throughout Canada and the world.
Associated links, updates and information for Team Bruce and the Bruce County Plowing Match:
Bruce County Plowmen's Association - www.brucecountyplowmen.ca
Canadian Plowing Organization - www.canadianplowing.org
2016 Canadian host site - www.cpc-16.org
International Plowing Match (Ontario) - www.plowingmatch.org
World Plowing Organization - www.worldploughing.org
Written ByLiz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.
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