The Rural Voice, 2002-09, Page 32Best foot forward
Middlesex County shows off its best for visitors
at the 2002 International Plowing Match
By Jeffrey Carter
It's still a plowing
Match but the 2002
IPM will try to attract
urbanites with Rural
Expo theme.
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28 THE RURAL VOICE
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The excitement is mounting as
the 2002 International Plowing
Match & Farm Machinery
Show draws near. Peter Twynstra
says the involvement of hundreds of
volunteers involved is the reason the
event — set for September 17 to 22
— will be unique.
"Our volunteers are from
Middlesex County and this event
highlights the county," Twynstra
says.
"We have to recognize... There is
competition for exhibitors...
Recognizing that, what we can do is
to change this event to create
success."
Twynstra is referring to Canada's
Outdoor Farm Show at Woodstock
when he refers to "the competition".
That event is primarily geared to
commercial exhibitors. The IPM,
located at Glencoe, will also feature
many commercial exhibitors but has
a much broader appeal and is
designed to draw people from both
rural and urban areas.
IPM organizers are putting a big
effort into the educational, historic,
and lifestyle aspects of farming and
rural life, Twynstra says.
Heading up the education effort is
Laurie Farquharson of RR 5, Mt.
Brydges. She's helping coordinate a
variety of learning experiences
including an all -day program
expected to attract from 10,000 to
15,000 school children within 100
miles of Glencoe.
"They've always had the schools
involved but never to this extent,"
she says. '
The cost for preregistered children
r is just $5 and the accompanying
adults who preregister will also pay
just $5. Teachers who bring their
students to the match can access a
curriculum through the IPM website
at www.ipm2002.on.ca.
Farquharson says the Education
Committee is co-ordinating an
"eight -furrow" plan to get their