20 IT HAS BEENtwo years since farmers across Ontario were able to gather at large events like fairs, farm shows, and plowing matches. In 2022, as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions ease, it's looking promising for the return of these summer and fall events running at "normal" or "almost normal" capacity. Grain Farmers of Ontario reached out to the three largest agricultural events in Ontario to see how they coped through the pandemic, what changes they have made, and what guests can expect when they walk through the gates in 2022. CANADA'S OUTDOOR FARM SHOW Canada's Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) looks forward to hosting an in-person event September 13 - 15, 2022, near Woodstock, Ontario. In March of 2022, COFS announced that they had secured a permanent home at this location as part of the Discovery Farm — Woodstock. In 2021, COFS hosted digital events and smaller in-person activities like Dairy Days and Crop Stop. Doug Wagner, president of COFS, understands that farmers "like to see and touch equipment before buying," so they look forward to giving farmers an opportunity to experience agricultural equipment and technology up close and in-person. He acknowledged that a few regular exhibitors won't attend this year as some companies are still not attending trade shows and others don't have equipment available to display due to supply chain issues. There will still be lots to see, including the Great Lakes Helicopter Company demonstrations of aerial The shows go on AGRICULTURAL EVENTS BACK AFTER LENGTHY HIATUS Barb Keith CANADA’S OUTDOOR FARM SHOW. Industry News spraying of fields and demonstrations of drone spraying. This year's two large field demonstrations are "Planting Winter Wheat" and "Tillage of Corn Stalks." The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is sponsoring an Innovation Showcase where they will feature several new technologies that will benefit the agriculture industry. Covid-19 has been a driver for moving to online ticket sales, and visitors are strongly encouraged, where possible, to purchase tickets in advance. Find out more at www.outdoorfarmshow.com. INTERNATIONAL PLOWING MATCH The community of North Grenville will welcome visitors to the 2022 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) from September 20 - 24. This is the first International Plowing Match to run since 2019 and the first large agriculture event in eastern Ontario in three years. The IPM gives the agricultural community a chance to connect with consumers and the non-farm public and provides an opportunity for agriculture and the community to come together and celebrate the host county and surrounding area. The IPM has always had sentimental value to farmers across Ontario, especially in eastern Ontario, as it often is a place for friends and neighbours to meet. The Match will be held on the site of the former Kemptville College of Agricultural Technology Farm (KCAT) — local committee chair Harry Bennett invites KCAT alumni to "come back to the campus, renew old acquaintances, see exhibits, and enjoy what North Grenville has to offer." Visitors are encouraged to check out the Barn Quilt Trail throughout the community. With approximately 1,200 sites in the RV Park, 800 of which are serviced, the Local Committee hopes people will come and enjoy all the community and neighbouring municipalities have to offer. The Match is a 45-minute drive south of Ottawa for
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQzODE4