95th Huron County Plowing Match
Hosted by: Farm of Pete and Leisa Albers
42894 Browntown Road, Bluevale
Co-hosted by: Huron County Warden Glen McNeil
Thursday, August 17 & Friday, August 18, 2023
By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen
The 95th annual Huron County Plowing Match, hosted by the Huron County Plowmen’s Association, will be held on Aug. 17-18 just northeast of Brussels on the home farm of Peter and Leisa Albers.
The match will begin on Aug. 17 with Junior Day. The young plowers will practice from 9-11 a.m., followed by the competition from 12-3 p.m.
Also that day, the Princess competition will go ahead. Six young women have put their names forward in the hopes of succeeding Jillian Shortreed, last year’s winner of the Princess competition.
On Friday, Aug. 18, registration will open at 8 a.m. and the competition will begin at 9 a.m.
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Speeches to help decide the Queen of the Furrow competition winner will begin that day at 1 p.m. and former Huron County Queen of the Furrow and current Ontario Queen Maranda Klaver will be part of the festivities. Eight young women will be vying for the crown. Later that day, the Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement Association, as well as several
implement dealers, will be there and demonstrating as part of the match. The association will demonstrate between 2-4 p.m. that day.
The vendor market will go ahead this year again and the association is actively looking for more vendors. Reach out to Margaret Vincent at vincent9margaret @msn.com if you are interested.
There will also be antique displays, organized by Henry and Annette Hendriks from the Lucknow area. They are also looking to involve more people, so reach out to them at 519-529-7560 for more information.
At 5 p.m., the banquet will begin with a meal catered by Cardiff Catering. That night, the plowing awards will be handed out and the
2023 Queen of the Furrow will be crowned, ending the local reign of Luanne McGregor. There will also be both a silent and live auction at the banquet after dinner has been served. On both days, the Brussels Leo Club will be serving lunch, while the Brussels Optimist Club will be dishing out breakfast on Friday, Aug. 18.
Wiersma looks ahead to 95th plowing match
International Plowing Match (IPM) next month. She has been very active at various events this past year promoting Huron County. The crowning of the 2023-2024 Huron County Queen will be held at our Friday night banquet, which is being held on site.
Many of our plowers will also compete at other matches and go on to join Luanne in competitions occurring at the 2023 IPM at Bowling Green, Ontario on Sept. 19-23 in Dufferin County.
Congratulations go to all of the deserving individuals who have represented and will continue to represent Huron County well at past, present and future IPM competitions. Many championships have been won by Huron County competitors.
Please join us at our plowing awards banquet on Friday night starting at 5 p.m. with the meal being served at 5:30 p.m. This year we will be having roast beef dinner catered by Cardiff’s Barbecue Catering. Advance tickets are required and you can get them from any Huron County Plowmen’s Association member.
I wish to extend a huge thank you to the many volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy to make the 2023 Huron County Plowing Match a success. We would not be able to host such a tremendous event without them.
Thank you also to the numerous sponsors that support our match. I would also like to thank Pete and Leisa Albers and their family, as
BY BRIAN WIERSMA, PRESIDENT OF THE HURON COUNTY PLOWMEN’S ASSOCIATION
I would like to invite you to the 95th Huron County Plowing Match, which is being held on Thursday, Aug. 17 and Friday, Aug. 18 at the home farm of Pete and Leisa Albers and their family at 42894 Browntown Road, Bluevale, Ontario in Huron East.
Thursday, Aug. 17 will be our match’s Junior Day, focusing on our junior plowers from the 4-H Sodbusters Club and the Princess competition. The current Huron County Princess is Jillian Shortreed, who has done an excellent job this past year.
We thank her for representing the Huron County Plowmen’s Association at various events throughout Huron County during the past year.
The Princess contestants’ speeches will begin on Thursday, at 1 p.m.
The Junior Day is the culmination of many hours of practice and preparation by the 4-H Sodbuster Club. Congratulations to all of the 4-H members for their hard work and dedication. Special thanks go out to Brian McGavin, Melissa Veldman and Don Dodds for their guidance and contributions to the club.
On Friday morning, breakfast is available on site from 7:30-9:30 a.m., hosted by the Brussels Optimist Club. The proceeds from the breakfast will be going towards new playground equipment at North Woods Public School.
Lunch will be available for purchase on site thanks to the Brussels Leo Club. The tractor plowing begins at 9 a.m. and the horse plowing at 10 a.m. with action continuing throughout the day. There will be a variety of displays to visit, in addition to the plowing in the field. The Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement Association will be putting on a demonstration from 2-4 p.m. They will show different types of cover crops and soil practices.
The speeches for the Queen of the Furrow competition will commence at 1 p.m. on Friday.
Our current Queen is Luanne McGregor, who has done an excellent job this past year. She will be representing us at the 2023
well as Huron County Warden Glen McNeil and Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan for hosting this year’s match. As planning has been underway for this year’s match, I have been reminded of the vital components involved. The association’s strength lies with the talented plowers, committed families, industrious volunteers and a supportive community. Thank you, again, to everyone involved, and for attending.
I am looking forward to a tremendous event and wish all of the competitors the best of luck with their ventures.
Brian Wiersma, Huron County Plowmen’s Association President
Klaver reflects on what was the year of a lifetime
and became very familiar with the new crew I would be hanging around for the next year. I learned that not only does the U.S. have a Bowling Green, but so does Ontario - and, right in the heart of Dufferin County, where 2023 IPM will be held. In the 104-year history of the IPM, this is the first year it will be held in Dufferin County! That is
something that is so exciting and historic that I am very proud to help promote that match over the course of my reign. November brought with it a variety of events across the province, like the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair with Huron Princess Jillian Shortreed, a Perth County 4-H event and local
school presentations, Christmas parades and toy shows, and a farmer appreciation dinner in Grey County with Grey Normandy Queen Megan Fisher.
In December, I attended an IPM workshop for all the volunteers of Dufferin County and the Huron Plowmen’s Association held a
Maranda Klaver, 2019 Huron County Queen of the Furrow and 2022 Ontario Queen of the Furrow Continued on page 6
BY MARANDA KLAVER, 2022 ONTARIO QUEEN OF THE FURROW and 2019-2022 HURON COUNTY QUEEN OF
THE FURROW
And just like that, in the blink of an eye, my reign is almost over. It feels like I’ve been a Queen of the Furrow forever, like it has become part of my identity.
When I was crowned as Huron County Queen of the Furrow back in 2019, I had no idea what was coming my way and ended up getting way more queen time than I ever could’ve imagined. But I truly wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
It was a normal start to the local reign with fairs and plowing matches and parades; and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. I had to learn how to go to events virtually and wearing a mask in public became the new normal. My oneyear reign was turned into a threeyear reign, which made me the longest reigning queen in Huron County history! Who knew that was in the cards when I signed up and won the title?
I loved every minute of being Huron County’s Queen of the Furrow. It connected me with a great group of plowing and agricultural enthusiasts - the absolute best supporters - and presented an opportunity to meet new people and attend fun events across the county.
The real cherry on top was finally getting the green light to head to the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) in Grenville County in September, 2022. I was just happy to be there after a whirlwind of a reign with all the drama from the pandemic.
The week of the IPM flew by. I went there with two goals: to make some new friends and connections, and do well in plowing. All the other queens were all so great to be around and it truly was so special to be around like-minded individuals finally after several long, drawn-out
years of the pandemic.
The night of the banquet, I had done everything I could. All the cards were laid out and it was out of my hands now and I could only sit back and see what happened... and then my name was called as the new Ontario Queen of the Furrow!
My next adventure was about to begin within moments after that crown was placed on my head. There was an unreal feeling that went through my body and mind when I was on stage. I didn’t believe it at first, but when I looked at previous Ontario Queen Anna Lennox, it hit me. I was now the Ontario Queen of the Furrow. Something so prestigious that I had worked towards over the past three years had just happened. I had looked up to all the previous Ontario Queens and now the queen that people would look up to was me!
My first official day on the new job was the Saturday of the IPM. I was escorted around by previous Queen Anna and she introduced me to everyone while showing me the ropes. Although I had been a queen for three years prior, it felt like a whole new world to me. Maybe that was because of the adrenaline still pumping through me or maybe all the excitement. Either way, I knew I was ready for it.
After the IPM was over, I embarked on my new journey as Ontario Queen of the Furrow on my own. In Huron, we have a Princess, so it was always nice to have a little buddy with me at events. As a result, this was a bit of a change for me. However, at each event, I usually ran into a fellow queen, otherwise it was an opportunity for me to get to know my fellow plowers.
I was able to attend the Haldimand Oneida Plowing Match alongside Oneida Queen Jacquelyn Easson. There, I met some members of the Ontario Plowmen’s Association’s Board of Directors. Next, I headed to Dufferin County
Photo by Terry Manzo.
U of G networking night an honour: Klaver
Paving the way
Just over a decade ago, in the good old days of 2012, Maranda Klaver, seated, was crowned Huron County Princess. Seven years later she would earn the title of Huron County Queen of the Furrow and, in September of 2022, she would win the provincial Queen of the Furrow crown. (File photo)
Continued from page 6 celebration party for my provincial win. I also attended several annual general meetings (AGM) of plowmen’s associations across the province, including Huron, Perth and Chatham-Kent. This was the first time I was able to meet Chatham Kent Queen Rebekah Ball. It was a busy end of the year but very memorable for sure.
To ring in the new year, I had the honour of being a guest speaker at several AGMs for local fairs like Brussels and the Huron Beef Producers. It’s a good thing I enjoy writing speeches, as this was just the beginning of it.
In February, I had one of the most memorable experiences of my reign. I was asked to be a guest panelist at the University of
Guelph’s Women in Agriculture Club for their Inspiring Women in Agriculture networking night. The request itself was enough of an honour, but being able to attend and have so many incredible people look up to me and not only care, but value the information I had to share, was something I’ll never forget.
This took being a role model to a whole new level. I was also able to meet up with Ottawa Carleton Queen Rhiannah Gallager, who was attending the event as a student.
March was farm show month. I attended London and Drayton farm shows with Bruce County Queen Hanna Van Stuyvenberg, collected all the free pens, and did some networking. I also attended an allchairs meeting for the upcoming IPM and heard about the updates
and progress that has been made so far. All the meetings for the IPM always get me so excited for what’s to come. Another big highlight was being able to attend the Kawartha Lakes Spotlight on Agriculture gala alongside Region of Durham Queen Meghan McLeod.
It was a great night of fun, food and agriculture. What more could you want?
In April, one of the big events prior to the IPM is the Ontario Plowmen’s Association’s annual convention, and this year it was
Continued
Busiest weeks of reign still ahead for Klaver
It was a warm day in Howick that saw Maranda Klaver, left, crowned Huron County Queen of the Furrow back in 2019. She would retain the crown for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic before handing it off to Luanne McGregor, but winning another in the form of the provincial title. Klaver was crowned by 2018 Queen Loretta Higgins, right. (File photo)
Continued from page 6 held in Coburg. Not only was it a great meeting with fellow plow members from across the province, but the Golden Plough from the first World Ploughing Match was right across the road from the hotel! There were so many big things that weekend and, of course, it got everyone excited and talking about the upcoming IPM.
May showers did not keep me down! I was excited to be a judge for the Milverton Fair Baby and Sweetheart of the Fair competitions. There were so many fantastic candidates, but, unfortunately, only one winner. Everyone who was willing to get on the stage was a winner in my eyes.
After the judging concluded, I headed to Tiverton with fellow plowman Tom Evans from Bruce County’s fundraiser dinner with Bruce Queen Hanna. Tom has qualified to represent Canada at the
World Ploughing Championships in Latvia this October. The hall was full! Tom has so much support behind him and we wish him all the very best luck later this year; we know you will do great and represent Canada very well.
The closer we get to September, the more events keep happening in Dufferin County. Peel-Dufferin Queen Mel Karpenko and I also attended the Grand Valley duck race where we advertised the IPM and helped sell souvenirs!
June was presentation month.
Alex Giger and I presented to the Orangeville Probus group. I was asked to be a guest speaker at the Brussels Optimist Club’s 50th anniversary dinner, and had the pleasure of being part of Farm and Food Care Ontario’s Breakfast on the Farm with 2022 Huron County Queen Luanne McGregor.
This year it just so happened to be in Huron County. It was designed as
presentation to the Caledon East and District Historical Society about the history of the IPM, the Queen of the Furrow program and the amalgamation of the Peel and Dufferin Plowmen’s Associations. It’s always neat to learn about a fellow association.
July proved to be the calm before the storm. I had one event, which was the Palmerston John Deere show and, as a fellow John Deere enthusiast, I was in my element! I attended with Wellington County
Queen Shayna Morphy. In the coming months, I am preparing for what I’m going to say will be the busiest time in my life. The peak of my reign will be here with plowing matches set to be held all over the province. I’m definitely very excited for this part of my reign, as it’s what every Ontario Queen of the Furrow waits for; where all the plowers do their best to try to get enough points to qualify for the IPM and get to know
a farm crawl events and one of the stops was at my Princess of the Furrow Grace Hallahan’s family’s dairy farm. I helped serve ice cream and promoted the Queen of the Furrow program and finally met up with Huron-Bruce MPP and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson. Recently, Queen Mel and I gave a
McGregor made historical connections at reunion
History on four wheels
Huron County Queen of the Furrow Luanne McGregor experienced a special moment last September when, at the annual reunion of the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association, she was able to ride her greatgrandfather’s restored 1953 Massey-Harris tractor in one of the daily parades. (File photo)
BY LUANNE MCGREGOR,
2022/2023 HURON COUNTY QUEEN OF THE FURROW
What a year! When I sat down to write this address, summarizing my year as Queen of the Furrow, I found myself at a loss for words. How do I sum up a year of amazing memories and experiences into one story?
To say I was shocked when my name was called a year ago would be an understatement. The day of the match was filled with so many fun moments, from meeting and getting to know the other competitors to the nerves of presenting my speech on the Farmerette program, I was there for the experience, no matter the outcome. And even though I had run several times in the past for both the Princess and Queen of the Furrow programs, I always found myself coming back.
These programs are so rewarding and beneficial towards building a young person’s character, allowing them to step out of their comfort zones, and meeting new friends along the way. A year ago, after I was crowned, I was excited for the year to come, as a past Seaforth Fall Fair Ambassador I was keen to put the crown back on after five years and step back into the community.
The first events I attended were the Perth and Middlesex County Plowing Matches where I got to see some familiar Huron County faces and meet some new faces from different areas and associations in Ontario.
A big weekend on my family’s yearly calendar is the Blyth Threshers, and, as a Hallahan whose great-grandfather was one of the founders, this is almost like an undeclared family reunion each year! This year was especially sentimental to me as I was honoured to be the first to drive my great-grandpa JT’s newly-restored 1953 Massey Harris in the parade around the grounds. In September, I also attended the Seaforth Fall Fair and watched two very deserving young ladies, Kira Driscoll and Layne MacGregor, crowned the Senior and Junior Ambassadors of the Fair. To have the opportunity to come back to my hometown as a past Ambassador, now representing the Huron County Plowmen’s Association, was a very proud moment. With fall fair season in
and her accomplishments representing Huron County.
Jillian and I then rang in the festive holiday season by attending many Santa Claus parades within Huron County. With each one, I found myself feeling more and more pride to be a part of such a family-oriented county! Before we rang in the new year, I attended the annual Huron County Plowmen’s Association meeting, where we formally met our very enthusiastic hosts for this year’s match: Pete and Leisa Albers. With talks of the upcoming year of 2023, my excitement for the coming months ahead and this year’s Plowing Match only grew!
In March, Jillian and I had the opportunity to be the first
representatives of the Huron County Plowmen’s Association to create a presentation and speak to several classes at St Anne’s Catholic Secondary School in Clinton. In our presentation, we discussed the Huron County Plowing Match, our two leadership programs, supported by the association, and what our year entails. We also discussed other leadership opportunities and programs in Huron County within the agricultural sector, like the Ambassador of the Fairs program, the 4-H Sodbusters Club and the Huron Perth Junior Farmers. It was truly a great feeling to return as a past graduate to show that you don’t have to be a “typical ag. kid” or come from a “traditional farming
family” to have a passion and drive for this industry and your community.
In April, the Ontario Plowmen’s Association (OPA) held a convention at which all the local associations from across Ontario gathered to discuss common goals towards bettering each plowing match. And, of course, we all discussed the highlight of each plower’s year, which is the International Plowing Match (IPM), which is being held in Dufferin County this year. Although I was not able to attend in crown and sash, I found it fascinating to attend as a voting delegate of Huron County and see firsthand the passion everyone in
full swing, the next weekend I was off to the Howick Fall Fair where it was great to reconnect with a fellow Queen of the Furrow competitor and now friend Kaitlyn Kamrath at her hometown fair. I had the opportunity to meet the newlycrowned Ambassador Abigail Peel and speak with the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Food Lisa Thompson.
The Howick Fair is a great representation of what happens when a very dedicated group of volunteers get together for a common goal of celebrating agriculture in their community. After the excitement of fall fair season, Princess Jillian Shortreed and I were honoured to attend one of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture’s meeting, where we had the opportunity to listen to a presentation by Senator Rob Black, who has a deeply-rooted passion for the agriculture industry and all those who work within it.
December rolled around and Jillian and I attended Ontario Queen of the Furrow Maranda Klaver’s meet-and-greet celebration at the Seaforth Legion. It was a great day celebrating her
Perseverence paid off for McGregor with win
Putting down roots
Huron County Queen of the Furrow Luanne McGregor competed to be the Princess several times before winning the Queen’s crown. She is seen above at the 2016 Huron County Plowing Match. (File photo)
Continued from page 8 attendance had for the underrated art of plowing!
Our table watched with pride as Maranda gave her presentation as the Ontario Queen of the Furrow, discussing the Queen program and her journey thus far representing the OPA. Before we attended the banquet, a group of us from the Huron and Bruce County Associations took photos with the “Golden Plough”, which was conveniently located across the street from our hotel. This monument honours the “First World Ploughing Match”, which was held there in October of 1953.
May had sprung and Jillian and I were lucky enough to be welcomed at the District 8 competition in Milverton, where we watched as Abigail Peel from Howick was crowned this year’s District 8 Ambassador. It was a déjà vu moment for me - I found myself
looking back on fond memories from my year with my “District 8 girls” and the competition itself, which is when they voted me most congenial.
In June, I attended the Central Huron Ambassador of the Fair competition with my friend Emma Badley, who is representing the Mitchell Agricultural Society as their Ambassador this year. I have had such a fun time attending events this past year with some of my best friends and sharing in these special experiences! We both watched as Maria Pot and Paige Bruinsma were crowned the Senior and Junior Ambassadors of the Fair. They will both have remarkable years ahead of them.
On June 17, Jillian and I, along with Emma Badley, attended the Farm and Food Care Ontario Breakfast on Farm at both Grazing Meadows Wagyu near Brussels, and the Hallahan dairy farm north of
Blyth. At Grazing Meadows, just moments after arriving, Jillian, Emma and I were asked to stand alongside the Brussels Fall Fair Ambassadors and other dignitaries while Lisa Thompson made her announcement from the provincial government promising funding for Ontario’s agricultural societies.
After touring the grounds and learning more about the Wagyu, this special breed of beef cow, we made our way over to the Hallahans’ seventh-generation dairy farm. After learning more about their innovative milking technology, we threw on some hair nets and scooped ice cream for the
attendees from all across Ontario. Let’s just say, with the crowns, sashes and hair nets, we were quite the sight!
Breakfast on the Farm was not only a great showcase of two very diverse sectors in the agricultural industry within Huron County, but
Shortreed
Passing the (crown)
In 2022, Grace Hallahan, right, handed off the Princess crown to Jillian
left. Hallahan was crowned in 2019 and retained the Princess title throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortreed says it has been an “awesome” year. (File photo)
BY JILLIAN SHORTREED, HURON COUNTY 2022/2023
PRINCESS
As my time as the 2022/2023 Huron County Plowmen’s Princess comes to an end, I want to reflect on what a great year I had as Princess. It is hard to believe that it is coming to an end so quickly, but I had so many amazing experiences and opportunities along the way. I was very lucky to attend events with the Huron County Queen of the Furrow, Luanne McGregor, and also had the opportunity to attend some events with the Ontario Queen of the Furrow, Maranda Klaver.
My journey as Princess started on Aug. 18, the first day of the Huron County Plowing Match, when I was crowned at Brian and Annette Mackenzie’s farm. It was such a fun day. I made some special friendships and met so many people.
On Aug. 19, I joined the Queen of the Furrow contestants in listening to special guest speaker and local Olympian, Julie-Anne Staehli.
After, I took a walk out to the field to watch and support all the plowing competition participants, and then I listened to the Queen contestants’ speeches. Later, I attended the banquet, where Luanne was crowned Huron County Queen of the Furrow. I was so excited to be working alongside her for the coming year.
Our first official events started in September. On Sept. 6, Luanne and I attended the annual reunion of the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association in Blyth. We spent the day there and later took part in the parade. On Sept. 17, I attended the Seaforth Fall Fair. I spent the day with Luanne and the Mitchell Fair Ambassador. We took part in the parade and the Huron County 4-H shows.
In October, I was invited to attend the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s regional meeting in Huron County. It was such a great experience. I had the chance to meet many special guests and listen to discussions about issues impacting the agriculture and food industry.
One of my most memorable moments was attending the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair on Nov. 5 in Toronto with Maranda. I watched many shows and I had a chance to meet and
interact with so many new people.
On Dec. 11, I attended a meetand-greet with the community to celebrate Maranda Klaver’s Ontario Queen of the Furrow win, held by the Huron County Plowmen’s Association at the Seaforth Legion.
Then, came the time of year for Christmas parades, where I went along with Luanne in the Blyth and Clinton parades.
In May, Luanne and I visited St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School and took the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Huron County Plowmen’s Association. We discussed the Queen and Princess programs, as well as the amazing opportunities for youth in the agricultural sector in Huron County. It was such a great experience to promote such amazing programs and explain the beneficial life skills these programs have given us.
On May 7, I was invited to attend the District 8 Ambassador competition in Milverton where I got to see seven contestants compete for the title.
In June, I attended Breakfast on the Farm on Tim and Donna Prior’s
beef cattle farm and then made my way over to Steve and Arletta Hallahan’s dairy farm for ice cream. It was such a fun day. Luanne and I had the opportunity to make a short video to thank a farmer and also helped out scooping ice cream.
I then attended my last event at the Zurich Fair. I took part in the parade and attended the 4-H goat show and handed out ribbons.
As I finish up my year and prepare for this year’s Huron County Plowing Match, I reflect on what an amazing year I had. It has been an honour to represent the best county in Ontario and I am so excited to see who will be crowned the next Huron County Princess. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and all the friends I have made along the way. I have really appreciated all the experiences I have had and the skills I have learned.
I invite everyone to join us at Pete and Leisa Albers’ farm at 42894 Browntown Road, Bluevale, on Aug. 17-18 for what promises to be another amazing Huron County Plowing Match.
Shortreed,
Wiersma’s term coming to end, Hallahan up next
An extended presidency
Huron County Plowmen’s Association President Brian Wiersma, seen above at last year’s match, had his term extended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, he’s days away from overseeing his second full match and First Vice-President Steve Hallahan is next in line for the association’s top job. (File photo)
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
This year’s Huron County Plowing Match, held on the home farm of Pete and Leisa Albers in Huron East, will mark the end of a successful and extended presidency of the Huron County Plowmen’s Association for Brian Wiersma.
Next year, Wiersma will make way for Steve Hallahan, who has been a member of the association for several years. His daughter, Grace, was crowned Huron County Princess in 2019 and spent several years (throughout the COVID-19 pandemic) representing the association at numerous events and functions. Hallahan is the current first vice-president, so his two-year term as president will begin ahead of the 2024 match, with Ross McIntosh waiting in the wings in the second vice-president position, poised to take on the presidency ahead of the 2026 match, should he choose to continue on that path.
Wiersma was set to serve a twoyear term at the helm of the Huron County Plowmen’s Association, but the COVID-19 pandemic had other ideas. The 2020 match - originally scheduled to be held at the farm of Pete and Leisa Albers, the site of this year’s match after a three-year crop rotation has again resulted in optimal plowing match conditionswas cancelled and the 2021 match was closed to the public with strict guidelines regarding travel, participation, sanitation and safety in place.
Last year’s match, held at the Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh farm of Brian and Annette MacKenzie, represented the first opportunity for the association to host a match that attendees and participants had come to know and love prior to 2020. The association membership then consulted with Wiersma and offered him another year on his term to achieve the full experience of hosting two proper plowing matches and he accepted.
This year, he’s proud to be able to return to the Albers site, saying it will be another great addition to the plowing match legacy of Huron County. His only wish, which is the same every year in regards to the plowing match, is for good weather.
match was in Howick, Central Huron and Ashfield-ColborneWawanosh and now in Huron East. Next year, he said, the match will be held in the south end of the county, though a site has yet to be chosen.
A long-time volunteer, Wiersma had dedicated his spare time to helping out at his local church, the Optimist Club and as a member of a men’s choir. However, after a number of years, he was looking for a different way to give back to the community. Brian McGavin, a long-time member of the local plowing match community, directed him to the Huron Plowmen’s Association, saying they were always looking for more help from dedicated volunteers.
After attending a few meetings, Wiersma became more involved. He became a director several years ago when the Fear family hosted on their farm between Belgrave and Brussels. This was after, however, McGavin encouraged Wiersma to try his hand at competitive plowing a handful of times at the matches. He hadn’t done it as a kid, other than for work on the farm, and he said it was a great experience. Competitive plowing and plowing on the farm, he said, are completely different, so learning how to compete in a plowing match really opened his eyes. Looking ahead, he hopes this year’s installment in the history of the Huron County Plowing Match will be another great one.
He thinks there’s a great foundation of volunteerism and giving back through not just the association, but with the Brussels Optimists and Brussels Leos, who will be providing meals and donating back their profits to worthy community causes (new playground equipment at North Woods Elementary School near Ethel in the case of the Optimists). Furthermore, he knows that Pete and Leisa Albers will be excellent hosts. Ahead of the 2020 match, the Albers family approached the association wanting to host a match in the future. That kind of enthusiasm and availability, he said, doesn’t happen every year, but it makes the jobs of volunteers like him a lot easier.
Good weather changes everything for an outdoor, agriculturallyfocused event like the plowing match.
Reflecting on last year’s match, which saw as high an attendance as most association members could recall in recent years, Wiersma said it was “awesome” to return to normal and host a traditional match, complete with an awards banquet and the crowning of a new Princess and Queen of the Furrow.
On that point, he says it has been so great for the county and for the association to have new Queen of the Furrow Luanne McGregor and Princess Jillian Shortreed representing the group and the community, in addition to the exposure Huron County has had as a result of Maranda Klaver’s Ontario Queen of the Furrow win last fall, making her just the fourth Huron County Queen to triumph at the provincial level.
He also thinks it’s great that the match has moved around during its time, serving all of the county. In just the last few years, he said, the
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Albers family ready to host match after delay
By Scott Stephenson The Citizen
Finding an appropriate host farm is an essential part of the planning process for any successful plowing match. In addition to having facilities large enough to host the banquet, the location must have just the right fields for the event - a space that is easily accessible by crowds and farm equipment alike, with soil in the right condition to be worked competitively. And, of course, the property owners must be more than happy to accommodate the event. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better fit than Pete and Leisa Albers of Grey Township in Huron East - this year’s Huron County Plowing Match hosts.
Leisa started off by explaining the all-too-familiar delay in their hosting plans. “We were supposed to host actually in 2020, but COVID obviously shut that down. Our son, Peter, started plowing in, I think it was 2018. He got into it quite young, so that was our first experience being involved with a plowing match.”
“My sister hosted in 2016,” recalled Pete. “So maybe that was actually our first plowing match,” Leisa amended.
Peter has just turned 15, which means he first became involved with plowing matches when he was only 10 years old. He started out by becoming involved with the Huron County 4-H Club’s Sodbusters - a plowing-focused youth initiative supported by local plowing dynasty, the McGavin family. Gordon McGavin was a champion plowman who was inducted into the Ontario Agriculture Hall of Fame, while later-generation plowing match legends Brian and Jeff remain active supporters of the culture, offering their expertise to any interested young people, even lending out competition-ready plows to youths ready to learn about the artistry behind the industry at the heart and soul of Huron County.
The Albers’ son’s interest in the precision of plowing may have been put on hold during the pandemic, but in all that time, it never waned. “COVID slowing things down means that he’s only had two or three years of plowing experience in the past five years. But he is going to plow again this year,” Leisa elucidated. So, how does a newcomer excel in the exciting world of competitive plowing? Oddly enough, it’s the same route as the one to Carnegie Hall - practice!
After being denied the experience of hosting the 2020 Huron County Plowing Match, 2023 is the perfect year for the Albers to take another swing at it - the triskelion pattern of crop rotation means that the Albers field has transitioned from wheat (the crop-de-rigueur for any selfrespecting plowing match) to corn in 2021, followed by soybeans in 2022, which brings their fields back to the necessary wheat in 2023. “It’s a rotation of every three years, of course,” said Leisa.
The Albers are overjoyed to get another shot at being a part of this rich local tradition, even though it is a lot of work in the days leading up to the event. Facilities to successfully house the banquet and lunch and room for presentations from the Princess and Queen of the Furrow competitors is essential, which, for the Albers family, means finding accommodating neighbours willing to temporarily take in the
various pieces of farm equipment that would normally inhabit those spaces.
The Albers believe strongly in the power of community groups like the 4-H Club, and hope that more and more young people will catch the spirit and enjoy the benefits like their son Peter has. “Just get out and try it!” is their shared sentiment.
For anybody who’s seen the Albers’ property, it’s clear that the space is an ideal one for the upcoming plowing match. The facilities that will be used to house the banquet and speeches are ready to go, and in very close proximity to the fields the competitors will be plowing. “I think this is the perfect opportunity to host this event,” said Leisa.
Pete also has high hopes for the future of competitive plowing in the area. “Hopefully they can keep appealing to young kids the way they have year after year,” he said.
“The Sodbusters is a great feeder program for it,” added Leisa. The Albers family is especially excited
Continued on page 13
Patient and gracious
The 2023 Huron County Plowing Match host family: (from left to right) Alyssa, Pete, Leisa and Peter Albers with Livy the dog. (Courtesy photo)
Corbett says 2023 HCPM has something for everyone
STEVE CORBETT, ADVISORY COUNCILLOR FOR THE HURON COUNTY PLOWMEN’S ASSOCIATION
Albers family hoping hundreds will attend match
Continued from page 12 to be hosting the Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement Association as a first-time addition to the event - the group will be on hand offering demonstrations of the latest soil conservation techniques. Pete and Leisa are also grateful for the excellent efforts of the Brussels Leo Club and the Brussels Optimist Club for providing support throughout the match, and are hoping for a great turnout. “I’m hoping for at least 400 people for the supper” said Pete. “Well, I only have seating for 300 people,” Leisa reminded him. “Well, I like to set my sights high,” he responded. If you want to try to snag a spot at
BY STEVE CORBETT, ADVISORY COUNCILLOR FOR THE HURON COUNTY PLOWMEN’S ASSOCIATION
Welcome everyone to the 95th Huron County Plowing Match. As Advisory Councillor for Huron County Plowmen’s Association, I bring greetings from the Ontario Plowmen’s Association.
With a return to our traditional format, we have something for everyone, with horse, antique, conventional and rollover competitive plowing. A highlight this year will be a demonstration of strip tillage and cover crop practices by the Huron Soil and Crop Improvement Association.
On Thursday, the members of the 4-H Sodbusters Club will have their final practice in the morning and then have their achievement day in the afternoon. The Princess competition will also be held that afternoon.
On Friday, we have a full day planned, starting with breakfast and plowing registration. Throughout the day, exhibitors will be present. The Queen of the Furrow program will showcase many talented ladies vying to be the next Huron County Queen of the Furrow. The winner will compete at the International Plowing Match (IPM) and Rural Expo 2024, being held in Kawartha Lakes from Oct. 1-5. The crowning
will take place during the banquet on Friday evening.
In September, plan on joining us in Bowling Green, Dufferin County Sept. 19-23 for IPM and Rural Expo 2023 to support our local competitors and Huron Queen of the Furrow Luanne McGregor as she competes for Ontario Queen of the Furrow.
In 2025, we are heading south to the new Grimsby Fair Complex for that year’s IPM.
I hope to see you at our county match and many other local county matches as we ramp up to another successful plowing season. Best of luck to all competitors. See you in Bowling Green in September!
the HCPM, head on over to the Albers
Soil and Crop Improvement Association to offer demo
A ‘Soil Man’
Farmer
(Scott Stephenson photo)
By Scott Stephenson The Citizen
Good farming, good fields and good food all depend on the same thing - good soil. The 95th annual Huron County Plowing Match (HCPM) takes place Aug. 17-18, and Vice-President of the Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement Association (HCSCIA) Peter Nonkes was kind enough to take the time to walk The Citizen through the bare essentials of modern soil conservation techniques in the days leading up to the big match.
“We promote soil conservation, soil health and best management farming practices for the local area,” he said.
Any resident of Huron County worth their salt can name the three rotating cash crop celebrities of the area: corn, wheat and soybeans. But these shining stars are buoyed by an equally important supporting cast of cover crops. Nonkes wants these field workhorses to get their proper due. “We promote cover cropsafter your main crop is grown, you would grow a cover crop, something that’s not going to get harvested, to protect the soil from rain and wind and erosion over the winter.”
The HCSCIA is an active group in the county. Members meet several times annually to keep up to date on modern soil improvement and conservation techniques. They also get hands-on when it comes to showing off effective methods. “We have a demonstration farm in Clinton behind the retirement centre there… we did conservation draining there, which is where, instead of a grid pattern, you follow the contours of the land - it creates a better drainage system. We did cover crops for beans there last year and we’re doing cover crops for corn there this year, to kind of promote and also fine tune that system.”
Nonkes comes by his interest in
ecologies honestly. “I’m a farmer here in Huron County, the third generation on my farm. I grow corn, soybeans and wheat. I use cover crops in my rotation, so, after the wheat is done, I’m planting a cover crop of a five- or six-way mix and, after the corn comes off, I’ll be planting another cover crop of rye. Cover crops protect the soil, and increase organic matter and carbon in the soil, which is just another part of what we’re trying to do.”
Nonkes displays a knowledge of practical science that helps him understand the big picture when it comes to the soil and crop health that is essential to putting food on the table for Ontarians, and keeps
money flowing into our robust agricultural economy.
Understanding the importance of soil health is a critical part of agriculture, and agriculture is an essential part of our success as a society. Throughout history, there have been many mis-steps in the handling of soil management. The advent of the motorized tractor was an enormous boon for North America’s agricultural industries, but irresponsible management of these machines in the 1930s led to over-tilling, which became one of the contributing factors to the Dust Bowl in the west and food
125 Ontario Street, Stratford Phone: (519) 271-7581 Fax: (519)
Soil health is HCSCIA’s primary concern
Getting down and dirty
The Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement Association held a special demonstration day near Clinton in June of 2019 to show off some innovative drainage. (File photo)
Continued from page 14 insecurity during the Great Depression. As we enter an age of extreme weather and societal restructuring, Huron County’s Eden-like conditions are becoming more rare every day, and historically important events like the HCPM help shine a light on our ever-evolving understanding of how we can best help our soil to help us help ourselves and our neighbours.
“This is the first year we’re partnering with the plowing match. We were invited by the [Huron County Plowmen’s Association] to come and show what we’re doing and get people interested in soil health. We’re very excited and honoured that they asked us to come. We’re going to have demonstrations there of a couple pieces of equipment and some cover crops.”
One of the demonstrations that Nonkes is most excited to show the community is strip-tilling. “Striptilling is when you till just where you’re going to plant the soilyou’re going to leave three quarters of the soil undisturbed. You just till the one quarter of the soil where you plant. Into that you’re going to hope to put your fertilizer for the year. Instead of broadcasting it all over the whole field, you’re going to concentrate it into your work strip,” he explained. This tried and true method has many benefits for modern day farmers. “It should minimize your fertilizer needs and reduce tillage. Reducing tillage will help with erosion, it will keep more roots in the soil, so the soil is less likely to move when you get those big three-inch rains, like we got the other day. If you still have the untilled root systems there, it will help the water get into the soil and not run-off as much. It increases the water-holding capability of your soil, which keeps it from washing away.”
This year’s plowing match will feature a demonstration of strip-till units. Nonkes feels that this kind of demonstration is key to getting the word out about new conservation techniques. “The machines will sow a strip and show how they run… people will be able to actually see how the machines are operated,” he explained. “We’re also going to have three different kinds of cover crop mixes there… some people want a simple mix, some people like a different complex species.” All cover crop seeds are being donated by Speare Seeds of Harriston.
“A good cover crop to start is just oats or oats barley. Then you can
add in more plants that have deeper roots, or grow more plants on top. You can also add a legume like a bean to fix nitrogen from the air into the soil to feed your next crop.”
Pairing with an association concerned with soil health is a natural fit for the plowing matchthat which is considered to be the ‘proper’ plowing technique may change over time, but the match itself is always a good way to get the word out. “Plowing was originally done to turn the soil over, so that in the next year, you’ve got a weed-free environment to plant in. So, you turn the soil over, you cultivate it, and then you’ll plant your crop… that was why people plowed. But now, conservation farming is getting to realize that the roots are important. So now we’re only plowing one quarter of the field… we are more precise, and we can do that because we have GPS in the tractor… our tractors will drive themselves right down a row now!”
Nonkes considers himself privileged to farm in Huron County.
“We have some very fertile soil here. If you look over all of Canada, right here in Huron County, we have a very productive soil, so we can grow really good crops And we don’t have to irrigate to grow here.
That’s another one of the blessings we have. We also have a lot of end users in the area - hog farmers, dairy farmers, a lot of chicken
farmers - all of them using the crops we grow. We also have a flour mill or even a couple flour mills. A lot of it all gets used in Ontario.”
If you’re interested in learning about strip-tilling techniques and cover crops, or you just want to feel the exhilaration of the ancient past meeting the current innovations, check out the 95th annual Huron County Plowing Match on Aug. 17
and 18, and let Nonkes and the HCSCIA demonstrate what a cover crop can do! The association’s
demonstration is scheduled to take place between 2-4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18.
HCPM 2022 cautiously welcomed the public back
McGregor looks ahead to September’s IPM
At last
Maranda Klaver, the 2019 Huron County Queen of the Furrow, right, was pleased to pass off her local crown to Luanne McGregor, left, at last year’s match. It was clearly an emotional moment for both. (File photo)
Continued from page 9 also a great showcase of the people who reside within our county - selfless people who volunteer their time to educate others!
One of our last events was the Zurich Country Fair, where Jillian and I rode through the parade and had the privilege of bringing greetings on behalf of the Huron County Plowmen’s Association one last time and invited all in attendance to the 95th Huron County Plowing Match. We had a great day looking at all the entries, exhibits and watching the 4-H show, where we were once again reminded just how much pride in one’s community one small town can have!
When reflecting on the past year it makes me proud to have had the opportunity to represent such an amazing association and county. I had a goal this year of wanting to bring a different perspective to the crown and break the mold of what a “typical ag. kid” may be to some people, and I think that, in many ways, I achieved that.
I am excited for the months ahead as we celebrate the 95th Huron County Plowing Match at Pete and Leisa Albers’ family farm, handing off this title to one lucky recipient and going on to compete at the IPM in September. I am yet again excited to make many new memories, friends and experience all that the IPM has in store for me this September in Dufferin County.
This past year, I had an
Klaver thanks all as reign ends
Continued from page 7 each other before spending a week together in Dufferin County.
Hopefully, I will also be able to meet new queens across the province and watch them embark on their new journey and help prepare the current ones for the upcoming IPM. I’m mostly looking forward to the IPM and being able to spend a week with the queens and connect with the few I haven’t met. I encourage everyone to come out Sept. 19-23 and witness history in Dufferin County. There is something for everyone.
To all the volunteers and chairs of Dufferin County: thank you. You have all been fantastic to work with and have welcomed me with open arms. I am very honoured to have helped promote such a great county. You have all made it feel like home over the past year. This experience has been nothing short of incredible and something I will truly cherish forever, as I know it has been the opportunity of a lifetime.
To everyone in Huron County: thank you. I truly would not be here today without all of the support back home. There’s not a better feeling than coming home from an event and crossing the county lines back into Huron County. At almost every event I attended, I was asked where I was from, to which I would always proudly say that I’m from Huron County. The response was always positive, whether people were talking about the land and county itself or the people in it.
Before embarking on this journey as Ontario Queen, I thought my time as a queen had ended, so I
joined the Huron Queen and Princess Committee. It was very important to me to help keep the program running, as it is so beneficial and I had such a positive experience with the Huron Plowmen - why wouldn’t I want to help contribute? But, I guess my work as a queen wasn’t done yet and a few weeks later I was crowned as Ontario Queen. I am very excited to be attending Huron’s match as the Ontario
Queen as well as a helper. The party truly never stops!
I wish all the queens the best of luck at the IPM this year and I can’t wait to be by your side through it all. To the new Ontario Queen, whoever you may be, take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way and don’t forget to breathe. You are in for the opportunity of a lifetime and I can’t wait to watch you succeed and break the glass ceiling.
amazing support system behind me, including my parents, Steve and Anne Marie, who not only encouraged me this past year, but throughout my life to step out of my comfort zone and be involved within my community.
Thank you to my friends and my boyfriend Matt for always encouraging me. Thank you Jillian for not only being such an amazing Princess, but also an amazing friend. This past year has been a blast as we have attended various events together. I have loved watching you grow into a confident young lady, who I know will do amazing things!
Thank you to Maranda for your guidance and advice this past year. I cannot wait to experience all the IPM has to offer with you. Look out
Dufferin County, the Huron County girls are coming!
Finally, thank you to the Huron County Plowmen’s Association because without your support none of this would have been possible.
To everyone on the board, I applaud your countless years of hard work and dedication. The Huron County Plowing Match wouldn’t be a success without each and every one of you. You have blessed me with a life-changing opportunity and I cannot thank you enough for that.
It has been an amazing year that I will forever cherish, and, in the wise words of the author A. A. Milne, “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?”
McLellan welcomes match back to Huron East
Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan, seen above at the 2012 Huron County Plowing Match learning the ropes from 4-H Sodbusters Club leader Carol Leeming, left, and seasoned plowing judge and local legend Don Dodds, right. (File photo)
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
While Pete and Leisa Albers will be playing host to this year’s Huron County Plowing Match, two ceremonial hosts, Huron County Warden Glen McNeil and Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan will also be on welcoming duty.
The Albers farm is in Grey Township in Huron East, just northeast of Brussels. It carries on a long and storied history of Huron East (and the five communities that
now comprise Huron East before amalgamation) hosting matches, including two International Plowing Matches (the Mud Match at the Scott farm in 1966 and the most recent match hosted by the county, the 2017 IPM in Walton).
That history is not lost on MacLellan.
If Huron County is hosting a plowing match, MacLellan said, he’ll always be proud, but when it’s held in Huron East, there is an added sense of pride that kicks in.
County and this year should be no different.
In addition to being a long-time politician and youth hockey coach, MacLellan owns his own business. But he did not grow up on a farm, so he doesn’t have the agricultural background that, say, other members of Huron East Council might have, so he’s learned a lot at matches over the years, especially those he’s attended in Huron East.
It doesn’t take an agricultural background, however, to appreciate the pride farmers have in their equipment, their land and how they take care of the environment and those are all on display every year at the Huron
County Plowing Match, he says. The match was originally scheduled to go ahead on the Albers farm in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic stopped those plans in their tracks. Then, with a three-year wheat, corn and soybean crop rotation, the Albers family was again ready to put its name forward as a potential host in 2023. The Huron County match hasn’t been held in Huron East since the early 2010s, meaning that the most recent plowing match held in the community was the IPM in 2017 (though the 2021 match at the home farm of Ross and Barb McIntosh in Central Huron was a literal stone’s throw from Huron East, sitting right on the border between the two).
Not just because he’s the mayor, MacLellan says, but because it means that the right site, the right facilities and the right fields are in place to showcase agriculture in the municipality on behalf of the county.
He says the match has always been a great opportunity for farmers to show off all they can do in Huron
Princesses, Queens can be role models: Shortreed
At last year’s Huron County Plowing Match, Princess Jillian Shortreed, left, and Queen of the Furrow Luanne McGregor, right, were crowned. Later this month, both will hand their crowns to someone else after what both have called a great year together, representing the Huron County Plowmen’s Association. (File photo)
By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen
It has been a memorable year for Walton’s Jillian Shortreed, but, at this year’s Huron County Plowing Match, she will pass off the Princess crown to someone else.
At last year’s match, held at the Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh farm of Brian and Annette MacKenzie, Shortreed was crowned Princess, ending Grace Hallahan’s reign, which was the longest in Huron County history - extended as a result of matches and competitions not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When Shortreed decided to put her name forward and be part of the competition, she did so as someone with a long and storied history with the match.
She and her family have been attending the match for years and have been very involved, so when the time came, it was just about as close to a no-brainer as it could be.
Plus, with a past-Princess for a sister, she had a built-in advisor and
coach for the challenge ahead.
While Shortreed was actively taking part in the competition, there was a certain drive to win; however, she really focused on having fun, making friends and enjoying the plowing match last year, rather than stressing about the performance.
She said she was nervous when it was her time to speak on the big stage, but that she felt she did well, though acknowledged the stiff competition she faced as well.
When she was named the winner, she said it honestly didn’t feel real. However, once she let it sink in and she was crowned, she was excited for the year ahead.
Not only did she enjoy her time alongside Luanne McGregor, who would be crowned the new Queen of the Furrow the next night, but being from the same county as the provincial Queen of the Furrow (Maranda Klaver would be crowned the following month in the Ottawa area) certainly opened plenty of doors and presented a lot of opportunities.
Shortreed said that one of the
most memorable events she attended was the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, an event she had never attended before. Being at events and seeing Klaver speak or present was a thrill, Shortreed said, and not all local Queens or Princesses get those opportunities. Over the course of the year, she really worked to further the story of the Princess and Queen of the Furrow programs alongside McGregor and Klaver. She said that, while crowns and sashes are involved, it was important to make it clear that the competition is not a beauty pageant, but a celebration of agricultural representatives. People like Klaver and McGregor can be real role models for women in
agriculture through a program like the Queen of the Furrow, she said. That was the message that Shortreed and McGregor brought to Clinton when they became the first Princess and Queen of the Furrow duo to speak at St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School. They spoke to the student body about the program, the match and all that the Huron County Plowmen’s Association does to further agriculture in the county. Looking ahead now, Shortreed said it’s hard to believe that her year as Princess is coming to an end. She said she will carry with her great memories of the past 12 months, but that she’s excited to be part of this match and see who the next Princess will be.
As for the future, Shortreed said that, for her, the Princess program did its job and she is certainly considering being a contestant for Queen of the Furrow when the time comes.
Created as a feeder program for the Queen of the Furrow competition nearly 20 years ago, many Princesses and Princess contestants (including Klaver and McGregor) have gone on to win the Queen of the Furrow crown in Huron County.
The Princess contestants will be on stage on Junior Day of the Huron County Plowing Match, set for Thursday, Aug. 17. The speeches will begin at 1 p.m. and a winner will be crowned later that afternoon.
McGavin looks back at half a century of involvement
Matriarch of a plowing dynasty
Marie McGavin has been involved with the local Queen of the Furrow competition since the 1970s, recruiting hundreds of participants over that time. She is seen above, second from left, with her fellow organizers and the Queen of the Furrow of the day, Kate Higgins, right, at the 2016 plowing match. (File photo)
By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen
Reflecting on about 50 years of involvement with the Huron County Queen of the Furrow competition, Marie McGavin estimates that she’s recruited hundreds of young women to put their names forward and vie for the crown.
Thinking back to when she first got involved, figuring it was when her and Neil’s sons Brian and Jeff were young, McGavin thinks it was the 1970s that she first began to work her magic with the Huron County Queen of the Furrow competition.
McGavin saw the competition (not even necessarily winning it, but just taking part) as an opportunity for young women in the community to engage in public speaking and an interview process, both of which would improve their communication skills.
In fact, McGavin relayed a story about a recent encounter with a former contestant who is now in her 50s. She told McGavin that she still remembers advice she gave her back then to be confident and look her job interviewer in the eye. She had recently obtained a new job and chalked it up to that. McGavin thought that was a good example of the competition instilling skills in young women that will be remembered and continue to be useful for generations.
Over the years, Huron County has had robust participation in its Queen of the Furrow competition, usually attracting at least five or six contestants each year, compared to some counties that consistently struggle to bring out one or two people.
She remembers taking a step back when her daughter wanted to try her hand at winning the crown. That’s when Helen Craig and Ruth Townsend became involved and they would remain involved for decades, though McGavin remembers those women doing the same later on, taking a step back when their daughters wanted to get involved.
Thinking back to the number of young women McGavin has brought into the program and seeing them mature, grow and develop their own families and careers over the years has made her well up with pride. She says she can see the impact the competitions have had on their lives and she has seen it over and over again.
She says that has always been the case when a young woman from Huron County has gone all the way and won the Ontario Queen of the Furrow crown. The county is lucky, McGavin said, to have representatives like current Ontario Queen of the Furrow Maranda Klaver and others to represent it.
Speaking of Klaver specifically, McGavin said Klaver has really taken the position of Ontario Queen of the Furrow to a new place with a firm focus on the work and importance of women in agriculture and what a big part of the agricultural puzzle the women of
the community are.
Looking back, as part of what really is the First Family of Plowing in Ontario (if not Canada),
McGavin says she is a “proud Grandma” when it comes to the impact of her family. Gordon McGavin, Neil’s father, of course, was a champion plowman and coach, as well as a major mover and shaker behind the scenes with the Ontario Plowmen’s Association, all the way to plowing champions like Brian and Jeff and grandchildren
who have become champions, like Jacob and Brandon McGavin.
This year’s Queen of the Furrow competition begins at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18 with the speeches, followed by the contestants heading out to the fields to plow. The winner will then be crowned that night as part of the awards gala at the match site.
Six to vie for 2023 Huron Princess crown
The Huron County Plowmen’s Association has always taken great pride in its annual Princess competition, even pioneering a provincial competition at the 2017 International Plowing Match, which yielded a winner from Huron County.
This year six young women from the community are vying for the crown and the opportunity to succeed Jillian Shortreed, Huron’s 2022 Princess.
EMMA SLATER
Emma Slater is 14 years old and hails from Listowel. This fall, she will be entering Grade 9 at St. Michael’s Catholic Secondary School in Stratford.
Some of her interests include art, spending time with friends and family and spending as much time outside as she can.
NAOMI CAMPBELL
Naomi Campbell is a 13-year-old resident of Belgrave in MorrisTurnberry who will be entering Grade 9 at F.E. Madill Secondary School in the fall.
She is part of a family of six, including her parents, two sisters and a brother and she is the second-
oldest in the family. At F.E. Madill in her Grade 8 year, Naomi participated in crosscountry running, nordic skiing, soccer, basketball and track and field. Her hobbies outside of school include soccer, running, skiing, reading, doing puzzles, baking and playing just about any other sport.
She says she’s very excited to take part in this year’s Princess competition and see how well she and her fellow competitors do on Junior Day at the plowing match.
AINSLEY GARNISS
Ainsley Garniss is the 14-yearold daughter of Cheryl and Adam Garniss of Morris-Turnberry.
This fall, Ainsley will be entering Grade 9 at F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham.
Some of her favourite activities include competitive swimming, downhill skiing and soccer. She lives at home on the family farm with her sisters Evelyn and Lyla.
Rachel Wilts is 14 years old and she is the youngest of five children in her family.
Rachel plays baseball in the summer and broomball in the winter. She also enjoys camping, biking, kayaking and hanging out with her friends during the summer. Rachel says she’s a very outgoing person and she’s always in the mood for adventure. She also loves going for walks and runs and just being outside.
Jillian Simpson of Zurich is the daughter of Jenna Becker, Ron Simpson and Billy Brand. She attends St. Boniface School in Zurich.
She has participated in the figure skating nationals competition and her goal is to become a nurse or a personal support worker, to own her own farm and to help and give back within her community.
LILLIAN BEYERSBERGENOAKES
Lillian Beyersbergen-Oakes is the
13-year-old daughter of Mike Oakes and Kelly Beyersbergen. The F.E. Madill School student lives on a farm outside of Lucknow. She enjoys drawing, theatre, reading and spending time with friends and family. This is her second year competing in the competition. And, one day, she hopes to become a graphic designer and own her own business.
The Princess competition will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17 at the match, which is also known as Junior Day, and will include the speeches from the competitors. The judges will then make their decision later that afternoon and crown a new Huron County Princess.
RACHEL WILTS
JILLIAN SIMPSON
This year’s Huron County Queen of the Furrow competition will hold special significance, as both outgoing Huron County Queen Luanne McGregor and Ontario Queen of the Furrow and 2019 Huron County Queen Maranda Klaver will both be in attendance as the sun sets on their reigns.
The competition has always been a big part of the Huron County Plowing Match and, with eight contestants this year vying for the crown, the 2023 installment promises to be no different.
RACHEL GRAS
Rachel Gras is the daughter of Andrew and Liz Gras.
She attends the University of Guelph, studying food and agricultural business with a minor in agriculture.
In the future, Rachel hopes to own a purebred sheep flock, to continue showing dairy calves and sheep and to stay involved with local 4-H Clubs.
DANA WILSON
Dana Wilson is the daughter of Lorin and Deb Wilson.
She is attending Fanshawe College and hopes to one day become a nurse or own her own farm. She also has dreams of travelling the world.
CHANTEL VANDORP
Chantel VanDorp lives near Clinton and she is the daughter of Karen and John VanDorp.
Chantel will be attending the University of Guelph in the fall to start a Master’s in population medicine with dreams of becoming a large animal veterinarian.
TORI CUTTING
Tori Cutting is the daughter of Susanne and Bryan Cutting.
She has served as an educational assistant at Sacred Heart Catholic School and she hopes to run her family’s chicken and cash crop farm one day.
CASSANDRA BOS
Cassandra Bos is the daughter of John and Tina Bos.
She attends St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School in Clinton and has dreams of becoming a photographer in the future.
MACKENZIE TERPSTRA
Mackenzie Terpstra is 21 years old. The daughter of Jason and Michelle Terpstra, Mackenzie works full-time at Special T Swine and part-time at Maple Lane Haven.
She is also heading into her fourth year of studying agriculture science at the University of Guelph. Mackenzie says her goal for the future is to continue being a part of the agricultural industry.
AMBER SIERTSEMA
Amber Siertsema is the daughter of Ken and Dianne Siertsema. She is a graduate of F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham and she hopes to work with animals when she chooses a career path.
EMMA ROBINSON
Emma Robinson is the 19-yearold daughter of Erin and Jeff Robinson of the Walton area.
She is attending the University of Guelph and working towards her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. She is currently working at Vista Villa, as well as her family’s pig farm.
This year’s Huron County Queen of the Furrow competition begins on Friday, Aug. 18 with speeches from the contestants beginning at 1 p.m. Following the on-stage component, the contestants will then head to the fields to plow before the judges make their choice that night at the awards gala.
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Warden Glen McNeil reflects back and looks forward
By Scott Stephenson
The Citizen
The 2023 Huron County Plowing Match (HCPM) is fast approaching, and Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Mayor, Huron County Warden, and match co-host Glen McNeil couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the prospect. The HCPM is an opportunity for farmers to show off their skills while highlighting all that is wonderful about the county’s unique agricultural environment.
McNeil’s connection to local farming goes back a long way, and he wears his pride in his family and love of his community on his sleeve. “We, as a family, are in the dairy business. Our son, Curtis, is the third generation. My dad and mom started the dairy business in 1935.”
Dairy farms in the 1930s were very different from today’s modern farms. Automatic milking machines were still a fairly novel invention. Dairy was stored in metal cans and glass bottles, and milk delivery men were still running routes all over North America. It’s a far cry from some of the high-tech megafarms of today.
A lot may have changed in the world of Huron County farming since the 1930s, and the McNeil farm has benefitted from many of today’s technological advancements, but the heart of their operation is still family, as it has been for three generations. One thing that has never changed is the McNeil family’s passion for all things farming. Glen reflected on his father’s simple approach to having a successful life. “Dad had three ambitions in life: to get married, to have a family and to have a herd of cows. And he accomplished that.” Having such a positive role model and a childhood spent on the farm made Glen’s decision to follow in his father’s footsteps equally simple. “My wife Vanda and I bought dad’s portion of the operation in ’77… we built a new dairy in ’77.”
Their son Curtis got involved in 2013, and a new, new dairy was built in 2016. “We did a succession plan 10 years ago and brought him into the business, and he does a very good job.”
No dairy farm is an island, and Glen attributes much of his family’s success to the supportive community of Huron County. It’s one of the reasons he’s always willing to help when it comes to supporting community traditions like the HCPM. “We have always
engages with local young people. “Junior Day is where it all starts… we’ve been very fortunate through the years to have young people that have excelled in their plowing ability.” Getting started young can be a great advantage for aspiring farmers. “They have to start somewhere,” explained Glen, “and some have gone on and been very successful at the International Plowing Matches, and even world plowing matches… it all starts at the county match.”
As match co-host with the Albers family members, who have graciously offered their property for the event, Glen feels fortunate that his official duties include ensuring all visitors feel welcomed and the young competitors feel positive support.
endeavoured to give back to the community that’s been so good to us,” he said.
One of Glen’s favourite things about the HCPM is the way it
He’s also very excited for Friday’s celebratory banquet and silent and live auction. “Our area is very, very generous, and we are looking forward to everyone’s involvement in the live auction.” Friday will also have an awards ceremony to honour the match’s winners and crown a new Queen of
McNeils share fond memories of past events
Wearer of many hats (hats not pictured)
Huron County Warden and Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Mayor Glen McNeil, above, delivers remarks at the 2022 Huron County Plowing Match. McNeil co-hosted last year’s event with Brian and Annette MacKenzie at Amalgamation Acres near St. Helens. (File photo)
Continued from page 24 the Furrow.
The McNeil family’s involvement in plowing matches, both local and international, has been going on for many years, and while every year is exciting in its own way, Glen recalls especially enjoying being involved in 1999’s International Plowing Match (IPM) in Dashwood, when he and Vanda were responsible for the Crop and Produce Showcase. “We thought it would be very informative and interesting for all attendees from Huron County and beyond. The match was extremely well attended, and the showcase was compiled of all produce that was grown in Huron County, whether it be hay, eggs - just all the commodities. It was a beautiful sight and many people came on a second day just to see it again. So our ‘99 involvement must have been our most significant contribution to a plowing match.”
So, how have plowing matches changed over the years? Glen may not have been born yet, but he cited the 1946 IPM in Port Albert as a crowning achievement in the early days of plowing matches. “It was just after the war, and it was hosted at the airport in Port Albert. All of the farm equipment dealers that brought their equipment there sold out. Nobody had anything left at the end of the match to bring home. There was such a pent-up desire for purchasing equipment,” Glen explained. Vanda added, “The ‘46 match was known as ‘The Victory Match’, since it was just after the war.” Fast forward to the swinging sixties - the ‘66 IPM, when weather conditions led to it being dubbed ‘The Mud Match’. “People lost their rubber boots in the mud!”
exclaimed Glen. Vanda has childhood memories of that match’s aftermath, remembering that “at the Scott farm, they were still plowing out rubber boots for years afterwards!” Vanda also recalls the ‘78 edition, when first man on the moon Neil Armstrong came to open the match at the Armstrong family farm, near Wingham.
“Plowing matches maintain the past heritage, and they also move forward,” said Glen. “You need to change with the times. And the HCPM is a great time to reflect, and look back in history as to the way soil has been cared for. It has
changed and, as I commented previously, we must change with the times.”
And what does Glen think the future of plowing matches in Huron County will look like? “The future will be as bright as the participants involved… we must celebrate the past and bring it forward,” he said, with a smile. “And I’d like to invite everyone in Huron County to come out to the match on both the Junior Day on Thursday and on Friday, and come to the banquet on Friday, meet new people and reconnect with old friends… in life, it’s all about the memories!”
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All lined up
Luanne McGregor proved to have just what it takes to be Huron County Queen of the Furrow in 2022. But, in 2019, above, she was still learning the ropes and the ins and outs of plowing. In the years that followed 2019, McGregor says she’s been spoiled to have 2019 Huron Queen of the Furrow and 2022 Ontario Queen of the Furrow Maranda Klaver in her corner. (File photo)
By Shawn Loughlin
Citizen
The past year has been the experience of a lifetime for Luanne McGregor, who, after putting her name forward in both the Princess and Queen of the Furrow competitions, broke through last year to win the crown.
At last year’s match, held on the Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh farm of Brian and Annette MacKenzie, McGregor triumphed over a crowded field of young women vying to be the next Queen of the Furrow. McGregor now follows in the footsteps of Maranda Klaver,
who was crowned in 2019 and retained the title until 2022, a reign extended by the cancellations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Klaver went on to be crowned Ontario Queen of the Furrow that September at the International Plowing Match (IPM), held in the Ottawa area. She has proven to be a guiding light, invaluable resource and inspiration for both McGregor and last year’s Princess, Jillian Shortreed.
McGregor said that, despite not winning the Princess crown or the Queen crown on her first attempt, her willingness to be part of the
competition again and again says something about it. She said she had so much fun and made many friends over the years, which is what kept her coming back to something she could see others shying away from if they were unsuccessful in their first attempt.
She was one of the young women competing against Klaver in 2019 and, when the competition returned in 2022, she was keen to again throw her hat into the ring, despite the loaded field.
Coming back a second time, she said she felt at ease and prepared unlike the 2019 competition and she thinks that maybe helped her performance when it was time to get up on stage. Although, she did acknowledge that every year is different and presents different opportunities and challenges.
McGregor spoke about the farmerette program and even relayed a personal story about a family friend who was connected to the farmerette program, which saw young women step up during the years of World War II and take on on-farm jobs across the province. She researched articles online and
read Bonnie Sitter’s book to learn more, and the more she learned, the more inspired she was by what these young women did for the country through agriculture in a time of need.
She even incorporated the family friend into her speech, which was news to the friend that day when she heard McGregor speak.
Out in the field, McGregor even felt more comfortable. While she doesn’t come from a traditional farming background, she has long been a champion for the world of agriculture and now works in the industry. She has seen her involvement in the Queen of the Furrow program as a victory for the non-traditional participants who maybe didn’t grow up on a farm and come from a long line of farming families.
However, she knew enough. McGregor says she knows how to drive a tractor, but, ahead of the 2022 competition, she paired up with her friend and plowing veteran Andrew Fear for some practice alongside members of the 4-H Sodbusters Club at their final tuneup before the big match. At the
competition, she was again paired with Fear and McGregor says the two spent their time laughing and having a great time, which kept them both loose throughout the competition.
So, when she was told she had won the competition, she was surprised and elated. She loved attending the different events, including a return to the Seaforth Fall Fair - where she had been its ambassador several years earlieras well as other opportunities to talk to and connect with other people from the community.
McGregor said she thoroughly enjoyed attending a local Huron County Federation of Agriculture meeting, going to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair with Klaver and Shortreed and speaking with the students at St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School about the Queen of the Furrow program. The last engagement was particularly fulfilling, as McGregor herself is a former St. Anne’s Eagle. Meeting and greeting as part of Farm and Food Care Ontario’s Breakfast on the Farm, which took
The
McGregor’s familial connections run deep as
More icing! Whoa, not that much
Luanne McGregor, left, and her cake-decorating partner at last year’s Huron County Plowing Match, Kaitlyn Kamrath, centre, must have done a good job, as McGregor captured the Queen of the Furrow crown. (File photo)
Continued from page 26 place at farms near both Brussels and Blyth, was also a highlight for McGregor. Not only does she have a familial connection to the Hallahans - the second stop on Breakfast on the Farm - but she was also able to be part of a special funding announcement for agricultural societies from the provincial government with HuronBruce MPP and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson.
She’s now working ahead to this year’s IPM, which will be held in Dufferin County for the very first time. McGregor hopes to do her best and, while she has big shoes to fill, she also has the support and counsel of the current Ontario Queen of the Furrow and McGregor says Klaver has been a tremendous resource and an amazing person to always have in her corner.
She plans to speak about the farmerettes again at the match, as she thinks the importance of that program and women in agriculture has only grown in the past year.
McGregor says she has felt spoiled this past year. Not only has
she forged a strong friendship with Shortreed, but the pair has been privy to many events and experiences they wouldn’t normally have access to as a result of Klaver’s win last September. Being in Klaver’s circle has been great. With her victory last year, if she accomplished anything, she hopes that it inspires other non-farm kids to get involved in the plowing match. She says you don’t need to be the child of farmers to get involved, you just need to be passionate about agriculture and to be that, you can come from anywhere.
2014 HCPM Princess is helping to carry the torch
do a one-to-two-minute speech,” said Fear. “The judges change every year, but it’s always a panel of three members of the community that have experience in agriculture or have been involved in the fair or any other community groups… Usually they want to know about how much you know about the history of the plowing match - it’s a bit like a job interview!”
The interview traditionally happens on the Thursday morning of the HCPM, and the public speaking component happens after lunch. Event organizer Ruth Townsend created the Princess program in 2005 as a way of getting younger girls to consider a possible future as Queen of the Furrow. “I think it’s a really good opportunity for girls to practise public speaking, and just practise in front of the public,” said Fear. “There’s a lot less opportunity to give presentations in elementary school now, and it can be really scary when you go on to high school or college, or university, if you’ve never done public speaking. This is just a fun way to get that experience. I think everyone in the plowing match world is really friendly, and
everybody’s really excited when they see you, and they always say, ‘hi’ - it’s just a great environment.”
In addition to being heard and winning a crown, the Princess gets to ride in Christmas parades and attend occasional educational meetings. “I think it’s all about celebrating agriculture and understanding the hard work that goes into farming - you don’t get to just take a pause and celebrate often, and the plowing match is a great opportunity to do that.”
As one of the event organizers,
one of Fear’s key responsibilities is finding interested young people to enter the contest. She receives a lot of useful guidance from local women with planning experience, and feels lucky to be a part of a group that includes Townsend, Arletta Hallahan, Val Shortreed and Natalie’s mother, Ann Marie Fear. “We’re sort of like the organizing committee that puts this together every year,” said Natalie. “It’s a really close-knit community, which is one of the many things that makes it special.”
By Scott Stephenson The Citizen
The Huron County Plowing Match (HCPM) Princess competition will be taking place on Thursday, Aug. 17, and a new winner will be crowned, carrying on the legacy of 2022/2023 Princess Jillian Shortreed.
The contest is open to teenage girls between the ages of 12 and 17 who are passionate about their community, offering a unique opportunity for the county’s rural girls to share their voice with the public.
Huron County’s Natalie Fear is one of organizers of this year’s event, as she has done whenever called upon since 2014 when she won Princess of the Furrow at 16 years of age. “It was something that Brian McGavin asked my dad if I would be interested in, and on a whim I said yes… it was fun, but I didn’t expect to win!,” she explained. “Ever since then we’ve just been involved in helping out every year with a bit of the organizing.”
To become Princess doesn’t require any plowing. “You have to do a 10-minute interview and then
Natalie Fear, above, was crowned Princess at the 2014 Huron County Plowing Match. Since her victory, Fear has remained active with the Plowmen’s Association and is helping to organize this
New OPA Zone 3 Director Pepper brings fresh energy
BY ALLISON PEPPER, ZONE 3 DIRECTOR, ONTARIO PLOWMEN’S ASSOCIATION
My name is Allison Pepper and I am the Zone 3 Director of the Ontario Plowmen’s Association (OPA). I am a new representative this year with big shoes to fill following in Margaret Vincent’s
footsteps for this next term.
I am very excited to bring some younger enthusiasm and ideas to the Ontario Plowmen’s Association, as well as the International Plowing Match (IPM) this year and for the next few years to come.
You can be sure to find me this year running around at the IPM trying to ensure that everything runs very smoothly. I will be working a lot in the tented city on
special features, which comes after a lot of work before this year’s match with the marketing of the match.
Being a part of the OPA is really giving me insight into what’s to come, as we’re already well into the works of planning the next two IPMs. I am a past Bruce County Queen of the Furrow (2019-2022) and a member of the Bruce County Plowmen’s Association.
Since this is my first year, I am dipping my toes into all of the effort and work that goes on behind the scenes in order to put on both local matches, as well as the IPM coming up this year.
I would like to say a big thank you to Pete and Leisa Albers and family for being so welcoming and inviting as host of this year’s Huron County Plowing Match! I can’t wait for their match this year!
Ontario Queen is a role model says Klaver
A worthwhile journey
From being crowned Huron County Queen of the Furrow in 2019 to wearing the provincial crown and sash in 2022, Maranda Klaver says it’s been an amazing experience she wouldn’t trade for anything. (Scott Stephenson photo)
By Scott Stephenson The Citizen
Besides the practical skills gained from learning to work the fields, plowing matches help rural young people develop a sense of community and essential leadership abilities. These two complementary skill sets are perhaps most clearly illustrated through the Queen of the Furrow competition, in which interested daughters of Huron County come together to compete against each other in a balanced contest of physical and mental prowess. Each year, the county winners who excel, move on to the provincial level for a chance to become the Ontario Queen and inspire an even larger group of young people.
Maranda Klaver is the latest Ontario Queen of the Furrow and, after an unusual, pandemicextended, three-year reign as our local representative, she is getting ready to see the current Huron County Queen, Luanne McGregor, pass the crown to a new rural regent. Klaver knows what it takes to use a gentle hand to rule the land, and has the internal generosity needed to share her secrets with upand-coming young furrow fans who hope to find success in the fields.
“You start off in your local county and I was lucky enough to represent Huron County way back in 2019… I also had to interview with a panel of three judges, and discuss things like farming, my community, the plowing match, myself, my career and my future… we also got to plow a section of land, which was a lot of fun,” she said. “We also had to answer an on-stage impromptu question, which is very similar to an interview question but you just don’t know what is going to be asked and you’re on the stage in front of everyone.”
When asked about the issues she cares about the most, Klaver chose to talk about the mental health of farmers. It is a cause that,
to the International Plowing Match, and repeat all those same steps.”
While competing at the Ontario level, Klaver chose to stick with a subject that matters to her: mental health support for rural farmers.
Her passion impressed the judges.
“I was fortunate enough to capture the Ontario title,” she said. So what does the position of Huron County Queen of the Furrow mean to Klaver? “It’s meant to create a role model for women in agriculture, and for your county, and to promote the plowing
historically, has largely been neglected by both the mental health industry and rural communities.
The image of the stoic farmer is one that denies the extreme physical and mental strain that can fester unnoticed in one of our nation’s most essential and punishing industries. Klaver believes that needs to change. “I thought it was a really important subject before COVID happened and then obviously COVID happened and it really elevated the subject, which, in some ways, was great, because we need to end the stigma around it,” she said. “But post-pandemic, it’s still the elephant in the room,” she lamented.
“I was the successful candidate back in 2019, and I got to represent Huron County and then I got to go
On the lookout
Every year, the Huron County Plowing Match sets up an antique tractor display and this year the Huron County Plowmen’s Association is hoping to have one of the biggest displays yet. Residents are invited to bring their restored or unrestored tractors to the match on Aug. 18. There is no entry fee, but a certificate of insurance for $2 million liability is needed. If you are interested, contact Henry and Annette Hendriks at 519529-7560. Every year, there are awards for most original restored and most unoriginal unrestored antique tractor. Above is the display from the 2017 match in Crediton.
(Courtesy photo)
Klaver eager to meet Huron’s new Queen
Continued from page 30 match. It’s something I’ve always looked up to, since I was a kid. My older sister Samantha actually got into it and that’s kind of how I got into it - I just thought it was really cool. I come from a farming family with five girls and no brothers, and to see that representation. I want to be that role model for young women in agriculture, which is traditionally a male-dominated industry.”
Being Queen has certainly created changes in Klaver’s life. “I’m definitely very busy,” she laughed. “I get to go to events all across the province… there’s usually three or four events in a month. But in August I think I’ll be at more Queen events than I will be working, but that’s alright. Really, that’s what it’s all about - it’s all about networking and travelling to support the plowing match. I’m
very excited… it really has been the opportunity of a lifetime.”
When Klaver is not busy with her royal duties, she works as a Financial Protection Programs Specialist for Agricorp. Her reign as Queen is coming to an end, but there are still many exciting experiences for her to have before she passes the torch. “September is when the big show is: the International Plowing Match in Dufferin County. Since I’ve been on the move for so long, it hasn’t really sunk in yet that things will change. I’ve been Queen for four whole years… all good things must come to an end, but keep the good things coming, you know?”
To find out who’s going to be the next Huron County Queen of the Furrow, come to the competition at the Huron County Plowing Match and witness the crowning ceremony at the awards banquet.
