Thank you to Debbie Grimes, Secretary Treasurer of the Niagara South Plowmen’s Association, for sharing with us the piece below that she wrote on the history and role of plowing, for the upcoming 148th Annual Niagara South Plowing Match in September! A fantastic, traditional event for the region – Niagara’s local 148th Annual Plowing Match is September 12th in Ridgeway, and the International Plowing Match in Finch, near Ottawa, starts on the 22nd of September.
The Plowing Match Tradition: God Speed the Plow
By Debbie Grimes
The cooler fall weather brings with it the much loved traditions of apple cider, squash and pumpkins, changing leaves, fall fairs and the annual plowing matches. Plowing matches were very popular events in the province of Ontario as early as 1824. The matches of yesteryear were occasions for farming folk to come together for some good natured competition, swapping of techniques, and fellowship.
The technique of plowing was a significant one that revolutionized farming. Primitive man was primarily nomadic, traveling to find his sources of food. With the advent of plowing, the tillage of the soil to enable the planting of crops, primitive man no longer was forced to hunt for his food sources, but was able to grow and raise his own food, enabling him to establish a permanent home in one location.
The first plows were crude implements designed to break-up the soil allowing for the planting of seeds. They were typically pulled by a team of oxen, which were later replaced by horses. It was not until around 1915 that steam powered tractors were introduced to pull the plows in Ontario.
Competitive plowing matches are reputed to have begun in Scotland, perhaps as early as the 16th century, and caused great interest and rivalry among agricultural people. Ideally, a well plowed land was one that had straight furrows and was the most uniform overall, often as judged by a neighbouring farmer.
Today, the plowing match tradition struggles to maintain a visible profile here in Ontario. The introduction of no-till farming methods has eliminated much of the need for plowing. There is some concern that over time, plowing will become a lost art. However, local Plowing Matches provide opportunities to celebrate this agricultural heritage, something that is important to both rural and urban folk. The local Niagara South Plowmen’s Association has the distinction of being one of the Oldest Plowing Matches in Ontario, celebrating its 148th annual event on Saturday, September 12th , at the Fraser Family Farm, 824 Holloway Bay Road North, Ridgeway, with the lands to be drawn promptly at 10:30 am. The plowing match features a variety of classes depending upon skill level and machinery type, with cash prizes awarded. Classes include Horse Plowing, classes for those with One Furrow plows, Two Furrow plows, More than Two Furrow plows, Antique Equipment, Youth, and Amateur. Match competitors must be 10 years of age or older, and all participants must carry $ 2 million dollars liability insurance. Prizes will be awarded for both the youngest and oldest plowmen. The Awards Dinner to follow immediately after the match at the First United Church, Sherkston.
Winning competitors at the local match level are entitled to go on to compete at The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo, which is an annual event featured by a different county or region throughout Ontario. This year’s show will be held in Finch, between Carlton and Ottawa, from September 22-26th, 2015. This event is promoted as Canada’s largest outdoor rural expo, and the premier showcase for plowing in the country, featuring the best of the best.
Without the introduction of the art of plowing, agriculture would not have become what it is today. So, as the dog-days of summer give way to the cool fall temperatures, let us not forget the annual tradition of the plowing match, and give thanks for what it has meant for the food on our tables. ‘God speed the plow: the beam and the mouldboard, the slade and the sidecap, the share and the coulters… in fair weather and foul, in success and disappointment, in rain and wind, or in frost and sunshine. God speed the plow.’(Dr. George K.A. Bell, Bishop of Chichester, in his Blessing of the Plow, 1645)
References:
Fennell, J. (2000). God Speed the Plow.
Underwood, A. (1957). Breaking Ground: The Story of The Ontario Plowmen’s Association.
Written by Debbie Grimes, Secretary-Treasurer of the Niagara South Plowmen’s Association
August 2015
Click here for more information, including rules and regulations for the match.