Hasting County Plowing Match and Farm Show
August 17 & 18, 2011

Message from Farm Show President George Sandercock:

"Welcome to the 2011 Hastings County Plowing Match and Farm Show.
We are pleased to be having our 23rd annual farm show and plowing match in the municipality of Tweed. The show is Hosted by Doug and Patsy Countryman. Co-hosts are Glen and Debbie Holmes and Bruce and Lori Palmateer, also thanks to Tim Hunt and family for supplying land for parking.

The show site address is 2 Countryman Road and runs Aug 17th and 18th. We have a tented city consisting of 250 plus exhibitions displaying the latest agricultural equipment and products. There are many agricultual services displaying their products and capabilities along with technical support. . ." more

Tentative Schedule (See also Family Tent Program)

HASTINGS GEARS UP FOR FARM SHOW A small invasion will take place near Tweed August 17th and 18th! No, its not an Elvis sighting. It’s the 23rd edition of the Hastings County Farm Show and Plowing Match! This year’s Show will be held on Countryman Road. Hosting the event will be Doug Countryman, Bruce Palmateer and Glen Holmes. For the 23rd year in a row, a small village will take shape in a farm field and will be populated by several thousand people.

The two day event will once again give people a chance to see the latest in agricultural technology and equipment all in one place. And, if one thing is sure in farming, there is always something new to be aware of ! While it is mainly a showcase of the latest ideas in agriculture, the Match prides itself on having something for almost everyone.

Visitors will be able to compare current equipment with technology from 50 to 100 years ago in our antique section. In that area, there will be ongoing demonstrations of antique machinery and methods of farming from bygone days. One of the highlights will be the demonstration of steam threshing each day. Another “must see” each day is the antique tractor parade around the match site. Close to 100 antique tractors will make their way through the streets each afternoon. Not to be forgotten are the plowing contests. Both days of the Match there will be competition plowing involving tractor, antique tractor and horses. As well, Hastings has a very good 4-H plowing club that competes at the Match. Competitors are awarded points which allow them to enter classes at the International Plowing Match held in September.

The queen of the furrow is also a very hotly contested prize. It involves plowing on the first day of the Match and making a speech to the crowd ,while being judged, on the second day. The winner then goes on to represent Hastings County at The International Plowing Match the following year. As well, she represents the Hastings County Plowman’s Association at various public events throughout the year such as parades, banquets, and school visits. The wood lot management section is also a very popular section of the Show. More and more people are realizing that there is value in their property if they can utilize the trees that are growing there. Several vendors will be demonstrating various methods of getting a return from the wood lot on your farm. Log sawing, tree felling and chain saw safety are some of the things that are regularly demonstrated for the visitors. There is usually some activities for young people to take part in also, in the wood lot area.

An extensive family program is presented both days in the Ladies tent. Starting in the morning and continuing until closing time, there is some new topic every half hour. Anything from home decorating to fashions to cooking plus a lot of other info is explained by some of our local experts. Hastings County is blessed by having many talented people who are willing to give of their time to inform you of the newest and best ways to run your home and farm.

A livestock display is also of great interest to many in attendance. Breeders of different types of animals display their best cattle, sheep, horses ,etc. Visitors can ask about each breed and receive information from the owners and breeders of these animals. Also, several of the breed associations have displays concerning their particular animal.

Many other interesting things are also on site to see. There is a fairly large home made craft section with items on display and for sale. A children’s play area is also supervised by committee members. Entertainment takes place each day around noon at the headquarters tent, as well as in the antique area. There are shuttle wagons to and from the parking lot as well as a handicapped parking area. A small shuttle wagon also moves continually around the streets of the tented city. Food is also supplied by local charity organizations and service clubs as well as Hastings County 4-H.

The motto for the Match is ‘Produced for farmers by farmers” and after 22 years, those farmers have gotten very good at producing The Hastings County Farm Show and Plowing Match!