Crop circles, IPM-style
BY LESLEY HAIN Special to Farm & Country
Nurturing a fine animal to maturity is one of the challenges of farm life. It's even more challenging when the animal measures 600 metres from nose to tail. They grow 'em big in Simcoe county!Visitors to the International Plowing Match will have a chance to see this amazing creature. It is actually a giant draft horse created from a variety of crops. Located on a 50-acre field owned by Ivan and Betty DeGeer, the horse is just across the road from Tent City.
"Planting the field in the shape of a horse seemed like a natural," says Joe Fafard, who created the project.
"Draft horses have been working the farm for many more centuries than tractors. They've been used for thousands of years and are still used in certain countries."
One of Canada's foremost sculptors and a recipient of the Order of Canada, Fafard enjoys working on large projects. But this is his largest. Fafard grew up on a farm in rural Saskatchewan and gained plenty of experience with horses, crops and tractors.
It was important to Fafard that the project not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also be lucrative. Organizers will donate crop proceeds to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. They expect to raise about $70,000.
Wheat was chosen for the body of the horse because of its reddish hue, Fafard explains. He planted the foreground in soybeans because they will stay green. The horizon is aglow with yellow from the flowers of canola. They planted a corner of land on high ground near Tent City in alfalfa to provide good footing for viewing.
The corn and soybeans will always be a darker colour than the canola, even when the canola's flowers are gone. By the time the match opens, they will have harvested the wheat, leaving a stubbly texture for the body of the horse.
"We'll plow the ground where the harness would be. It'll be like harnessing up the horse in preparation for the match," says Fafard.
Pulling the entire project together was Roy Hickling, a farmer with an interest in the arts. Hickling has taken several art courses at Barrie's MacLaren Art Centre, which is hosting the exhibit, and was thrilled when approached to be the project curator.
The project took plenty of planning and hard work by volunteers. Hickling planted the wheat and beans, while a local grain elevator provided an employee to plant corn and cultivate. Cargill Ltd. of Alliston airflowed the canola. Hickling also lined up several volunteers for the harvest.
Those interested in following the horse as it grows and develops have done so without even leaving their home or office, Hickling adds. A website on the Internet has been operating throughout the growing season. Aerial photographs were taken once or twice a week to keep the image of the horse updated.
"There has been a lot of work put into the website and many people have visited it."
The site also includes information about the artist, crops, Foodgrains Bank, and the IPM. It may be visited at: www.drlogick.com/fafard.
Many local firms and corporate donors have sponsored the project with cash, labour, supplies and promotional materials. It wouldn't have been possible without their support, says Hickling.
"If we costed everything out, we'd probably be in the neighborhood of $45,000 to $50,000."
The horse should be a big attraction at the IPM, says Hickling. Visitors may view it from a high spot on the edge of the field. But the best view for many might be from a giant ferris wheel in the IPM amusement park. Balloon rides offered from the IPM site will also give a fantastic view of the big horse.
IPM hosts lay out welcome mat
Bob and Wendy Kerr have always enjoyed attending plowing matches, but it's difficult to get away at such a busy time of the year."That's soybean time," Bob explains.
When the weather is good, the crop just pours into their rural elevator. Escaping to an IPM for an afternoon can be a great break from the hectic pace. This year, however, the IPM will be so close that the Kerrs will be able to check it out any time they want. In fact, it's on their land.
As the owners of the 100-acre Tent City location in Ivy, Ont., the Kerrs are very excited about attending the coming match. They have been looking forward to it since approached by IPM organizers about three years ago.
"It was pretty simple. A couple of committee people came and asked us. It's a level, well-drained piece of land, so it was perfect," says Bob.
They had previously planted the 100-acre parcel in crops such as corn, wheat and soybeans. Organizers of the IPM felt an alfalfa sod would provide better footing for Tent City, so that's what the Kerrs planted this year. They were hoping to get a second cut in before the match.
Although the IPM only has possession of the land for three months, there is plenty of preparation involved, says Kerr. A new well was drilled to serve Tent City and the trailer park to the east and hydro lines needed to be added.
Other farmers have had their land placed in abeyance for years due to the rigors of an IPM. Bob is optimistic about planting again next season.
"If it's worked up good this fall, Mother Nature will take care of things."
As well as the Kerrs, several other surrounding landowners are making property available for plowing, parking and other IPM uses. The other participants include Roger and Beverly Kell, Bob and Berna Broley, Melvyn and Catherine Varcoe, Bruce and Maymie Cumming, Ivan and Betty DeGeer, Davis and Mary Arnold, Wayne Church and Wilfred and Margaret Peacock.
Bob and Wendy have different backgrounds in agriculture. Wendy, a self- proclaimed "city girl", had never lived on a farm until she met Bob. He was a "country boy" who grew up in the Maple area and worked on neighboring farms. In 1966, they purchased farmland in Essa township. The operation grew and in 1978, they started an elevator.
The family now owns 400 acres and rents another 400 in the Ivy area, under the name of Charwen Farms Inc. They have three sons, Scott, Mark and Warren, and a daughter, Heather. All work for them in one capacity or another. Another sideline is a small trucking business.
The couple is too busy with the elevator business to get extensively involved with IPM committees, but has attended several meetings to keep up to date. As the owners of the Tent City site, the Kerrs have fielded many telephone calls from people seeking information about the IPM. They're even selling IPM souvenirs from their elevator business.
The Kerrs have been attending IPMs for years, although they have never been involved in competitions. "We don't go every year, because if it's excellent weather, it's busy at the elevator," Bob explains.
Wendy is involved with a church group operating the "Oasis Tent". This will be a place to get out of the sun and enjoy fellowship with people from churches all over the district. A church service will also be held in Barrie to begin IPM festivities at Barrie Central Collegiate at 7 p.m., Sept. 14.
As well as owning the Tent City site, the Kerrs are involved with the Fafard Field Project. They will receive crops from the giant draft horse artwork and process them free of charge at their elevator. All the proceeds will go to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
Farmers who think they would make money out of being involved with an IPM might get a surprise, say the Kerrs. While the IPM compensates farmers for use of their land, it isn't enough to make up for losses, they say. The field being used for Tent City could have been planted in lucrative crops, but can only be planted in alfalfa. And there is no guarantee against soil compaction.
"It's not for gain - not financially viable. You have to do it because you want to," says Bob.
The IPM is an important event for bringing together the agricultural community with those who normally have no contact with farming, says Wendy. - LH
IPM-BRIEFS
FIRST HELD 1913
The International Plowing Match was first held in 1913 at Sunnybrook Farm, Toronto. It has expanded into one of the world's largest outdoor agricultural shows. One thousand acres are required for the event, including 100 acres for a Tent City, catering to 700 exhibitors.LOTTARIO STAGE
Entertainment will be offered each day, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on the Lottario Stage in the centre of the IPM's Tent City. Country bands, cloggers, singers, fiddlers, line dancers, square dancers and variety shows will be included.CELEBRITY PLOWING
Media celebrities will plow at the IPM on Tuesday at 10 a.m., followed by MPs and MPPs at 3 p.m. County mayors and reeves will plow Thursday at 1 p.m. and Ontario wardens will plow at 1 p.m., Friday.NUMBERS
The IPM in Simcoe county is expected to attract between 125,000 and 150,000 people, including 25,000 school children. Weather plays a big role. Attendance over the years has ranged from 60,000 to 150,000.AUTOTRAC
The "Otaco" Autrotrac will be the official souvenir show tractor of the 1997 IPM. The limited-edition model is one-sixteenth scale, spuncast metal, with fully detailed metal wheels and drawbar, logo, key chain and imprinted box. Otaco is handcrafted by Teeswater Custom Tractor of Teeswater, Ont. They may be ordered for $100 plus tax and $6 shipping from Bob Hickson, RR 5, Cookstown, Ont., L0L 1L0.TENT CITY
Tent City is laid out in five avenues and seven streets. Up to 700 exhibitors and caterers are supplied with hydro, telephone, garbage pick- up, water under pressure, toilet facilities, identification badges and passes. They greet 20,000 to 30,000 people a day.HISTORY
This is the fifth time Simcoe county has hosted the IPM - the most times ever for a county. Previous matches were in 1938 (Minesing); 1950 (Beeton Flats); 1967 (Thornton); and 1981 (Crown Hill). For the past eight years, the show has commenced on the third Tuesday in September.THEME
The theme of the 1997 match is "Come Share the Future". A commemorative poster and limited-edition collector's print reinforces the theme. Created by Barrie artist Hondo Varep, the watercolour will be sold at the IPM. Featuring draft horses and a tractor, the print sells for $85 unframed and $195 framed. Varep is head of the art program at Barrie Central Collegiate.PRIZE MONEY
Held in a different Ontario county each year, the International Plowing Match and Machinery Show attracts about 150 competitors from across Canada. This year, plowers will be competing for more than $35,000 in prize money.TRAILER PARK
Many people travel to the plowing match not just for a day; they make it their vacation. Visitors and plowers may stay in a 100-acre trailer park on site at the IPM. About 1,500 units can be accommodated in the park.CHURCH SERVICE
A church service will launch the IPM the night before plowing begins. Reverend Charles Deogratsias will present a challenging message at the service, held at Barrie Central Collegiate, 125 Dunlop St. W., Barrie, Sunday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. Inspirational music will be provided by Chaverim Christian Youth Chorus and Green Briar Male Chorus. For further information, call (705) 728-1816.SITE SIZE
The entire IPM site is comprised of five farms and encompasses 1,000 acres of land. Tent City will cover 2.8 million square feet and will have over 1 million square feet under canvas, not counting the lounge and entertainment areas.
Country's top quilters put on the gloves
BY LESLEY HAIN Special to Farm & Country
In the old days, the general store was more than just a spot to pick up wares. It was a place to meet the neighbours and spin a yarn or two with old friends.The Lifestyles Committee has attempted to recapture some of that charm by creating an old-fashioned general store at the International Plowing Match.
"We've changed the arts and crafts tent into a general store. Artisans and crafters from all across Simcoe county will be putting their wares in on a commission basis and we'll be selling them," explains Lifestyles Chair Pat Wood.
For the first time, demonstrations of arts and crafts will be held on the site. Visitors may watch a variety of talents, including bird carving, rug hooking, handweaving, decoy making, folk art and more.
"The crafts we have are all on a juried basis. It makes it more one-of-a- kind," says Wood.
Another highlight of the Lifestyles tents will be the quilt displays. Quilt shows have been a tradition since the early days of the IPM, says organizer Lois Bertram. "They used to reside in the 'Women's Tent', which eventually changed with the times and became the Lifestyles Tent," Bertram explains.
Only the best quilts make it to the IPM. A competition held in July attracted 122 quilted items and was attended by 1,175 people. The judges chose 18 winners; there will also be a 'chairman's choice' and several other selected items going to the IPM.
Quilters have long been bringing their best work to the match. It was a place where they could meet with other women while the men worked their plows.
Today, almost as many men head to the Lifestyles area as women because there is so much to see. This year's event is being set up around "theme days" which focus on various topics.
"Welcome to Simcoe County Day" will be Tuesday, Sept. 16. Official opening ceremonies will begin at 10:30 a.m., featuring local politicians and a high school band.
"Safe and Healthy Communities" will be the focus on Wednesday, Sept. 17. Highlights will include a food safety demonstration at 11 a.m. and a low-fat cooking demonstration at 1 p.m.
"Heritage Day" will be held on Thursday, Sept. 18. At 10 a.m. in the Fashion Tent, women's institutes will host a heritage fashion show, featuring period costume.
Representatives of the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre in Midland will present an interactive presentation about snakes, frogs and turtles at noon on Friday, Sept. 19, "Think Green-It's Friendly" day.
Proper child car seat use will be demonstrated at 3 p.m. on "Family Day", Saturday, Sept. 20. This will be followed by "clogging" and a draw for quilts made in the quilt block competition for the IPM. Raffle items include a queen size quilt, double quilt and a table runner.
Despite the grandest of attractions, little ones can easily become bored. There also might be a time when parents may wish to stroll the grounds on their own. That's when the Child Care Tent comes into play, says Wood.
Parents may bring their three to seven-year-old children to the tent for a two-hour supervised stay, between 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Inside the tent there is also a private area for parents to change and feed infants.
"Bell Mobility is our sponsor and supplies pagers for the parents so they can be found instantly."
Volunteers in the Lifestyles section are all women from Simcoe county and almost all are members of local women's institutes. Volunteers will wear colorful vests and are ready to answer visitors' questions.
Gifts donated by women's institute members will be given away every half hour in the food and fashion tents. A "parcel check" will be available for visitors to store items they purchase or bring with them.