The Rural Voice, 1978-09, Page 6Jim Armstrong's words: they say a plowing match means
eight years of promotion for a county - four years before the
match and four years after.
It also engenders a remarkable amount of enthusiasm in the
county itself and there's already ample evidence of this in Huron
- from the distincitve signs advertising the match posted around
the country, to articles in both local newspapers and national
magazines, as well as the preparations by county clubs and
organizations who are planning either exhibits or money -raising
ventures at the match.
Anyone in Huron County who doesn't know about the
International Plowing Match by now also probably isn't aware
that July was a dry month.
When the Huron Plowmen's Assoication learned their bid to
host the 1978 match had been accepted, it advertised in county
newspapers for farmers willing to volunteer their place as the
host farm for the match.
Jim Armstrong and three other farmers responded and the
Ontario Plowmen's Association sent inspectors down to appraise
the sites.
Rotate
The sacrifice required on the part of the host farmer himself is
willingness to rotate his crops so the land for the Plowing Match
is available from August 1 to the end of October.
This year, 196 acres on the Armstrong farm is being used for
the plowing match. Also, property on many adjacent farms has
been rented for the period of the match, to be used either for the
plowing competitions or for parking and housing visitors.
About 130 acres on the Armstrong farm will be taken up by the
tent city alone, and hydro and telephone crew have already been
working on this site for some time.
In total, the plowing match will be using approximately 1,200
acres in the north of the county.
The Armstrongs learned their farm had been selected as the
host farm in November, 1974.
But the real signal for things to start happening seemed to be
January 1, 1978.
Signal
Looking back, Carol Armstrong said it's as if that date was a
signal and "the phone has never stopped ringing."
To prepare for his role of host farmer, Jim Armstrong
crammed in a public speaking course, and since then, he's
beenthe feature speaker at Women's Institute meetings, Lions
Club gatherings, and the Huron County Federation of
Agriculture banquet.
In addition to being the host farmer, Mr. Armstrong is also a
director of theOntarioPlowmen's Association,only the third time
a host farmer has combined the two roles.
Carol Armstrong is also doing her fair share of speaking, since
she's taken on the added responsibility of chairing the committee
pianning the expanded ladies program for the 1978 event.
All in all, the Armstrongs have been pretty well eating,
sleeping andbreathing plowing match.
Switch to haylage
Since the Armstrongs had some time to plan for the match,
they first rotated the crops for their 300 head of cattle, growing
some on smaller parcels of land not needed for the match, and
switching the cattle to a haylage and silage diet.
This year, they omitted growing any grain crops and had to
have the tent city site well seeded down.
Their second crop of hay also had to be off the land adjacent to
their house by August 1.
Although the Armstrongs heard rumours about damage done
to other farms where the International Match was held, they
expect to have good crops on the land next year, although Mr.
Armstrong admits it might be two years before the crops are
right back to par.
Carol Armstrong said when they were considering offering
their farm they drove past two former match sites and "you
P1.6 THE RURAL VOICE/SEPTEMBER 1978
would never know the match was there."
Another rumour which the Armstrongs are quick to discount is
the fact that they're getting rich offering their land for the
match.
It's a rumour they've been asked about more than once by
visiting reporters.
The facts are the host farmer is paid $70 an acre for the land
being used to house the tent city, and this land is leased from the
first of August to the end of October.
Under the agreement with the Ontario Plowmens' Association,
the land is supposed to be returned as near as possible to its
original state.
Farmers who offer their land for plowing or parking are paid
$25 per acre for plowing sites and $22 per acre for parking sites,
for the period of the match.
Jim Armstrong said if anyone looked at their land being used
from a monetary point of view, "then we'd be better to forget
it.
Most farmers whose farms are used toospend money painting
buildings, repairing fences, and generally beautifying their
farms.
The Armstrongs both emphasize that there has been
tremendous co-operation from neighbours in the campaign to
promote the area.
The Armstrongs themselves have had a little additional help
from the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. Staff.
Beauty Spot
The authority took a swampy area on the Armstrong farm and
converted it into a beauty spot with picnic tables and daily tours
during the match.
The authority will also use the spot as a showcase for visitors
long after the match is over.
Right now, the Armstrongs and 176 other committee members
plus countless others are spending all their spare time ensuring
the match will be a success.
They're hoping the weatherman can promise some cloudless
skies and that the crowds will turn out in full force.
One guest, Neil Armstrong, the first man who walked on the
moon, who's opening this year's International Plowing Match on
Sept. 26 will receive a special welcome from Jim Armstrong.
The ancestors of both men just happened to come from the
same town in Scotland.
But at the end of October, when the extra hydro and telephone
lines are gone, and the land which once held seven avenues of
tents has been plowed, the Armstrong family may find the
silence a little deafening.
600-1200 PSI
Use the Epps Pressure Washer and get
professional cleaning.
• Smooth, well-balanced,
quiet power - reduces parts
wear and promotes long
trouble-free life.
Unique misting system for
soaps and detergents gives
economy and professional
results.
Hot or cold water.
Wet sand blast attachment
for tough cleaning jobs.
• Designed and assembled in
Canada.
ePPS'
CALL TODAY 519-482-3418
SALES and SERVICE
Box 610, Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0
CALL
ERV
TODAY