County gets first national plow fest

MENDON - Lifelong Rockford resident Don Hayes has pined for a national plowing competition to come to Mercer County for years and years. On July 31-Aug. 2, Hayes will finally get his wish.

Plowing matches have been a part of the American farm scene for more than a century, Hayes said. The competitions were inspired by farming immigrants from England and Scotland, where plowing competitions have been held for at least 200 years. Hayes, who is president of the Ohio Plowing Organization, said he and other area members have been fighting to host a national U.S.A. Plowing Organization competition in Mercer County since 2004. The retired farmer said the location is only natural since the county is one of the largest agricultural producers in the state.

Hayes got his first taste of a plowing match when his friend got him involved in the 1980s, and he said he's been hooked ever since.

Plowers from around the state and nation will compete on roughly 120 acres of land in Dublin Township on the Palmer-Maurer Farm, with Walls Farm hosting, Hayes said.

Contestants will compete in four classes in state and national competitions: antique, small plow, reversible and open. Hayes has competed in the antique class since 1981, but the 73-year-old said he likely won't compete this year. He has almost always competed with a 1934 Model A John Deere 4B.

Hayes has been plowing since his dad put him on a tractor at 5 years old and passed his love of plowing on to his kids. His son has competed for years, and his youngest daughter will likely plow in the adult category after outgrowing the junior competition.

The matches aren't easy, Hayes said. Plowers have a set plot of land to plow and are judged on straightness, firmness, evenness, depth, shape and uniformity. The furrow, or the long, narrow trench made in the ground by the plow, should be straight and neat.

Plowers can set wooden stakes to guide the first round. When done correctly, only one should be seen. Competitors plow for three to four rounds to create a "crown."

"Seeing how you can do against someone else, it's like a sport," Hayes said. "The camaraderie is a big thing for me."

The competition isn't just about winning, he added. It also gives competitors a chance to show off their equipment. When Hayes competed in the antique class, he said the competition gave him the chance to "get the fun stuff out."

Most Ohio plowers come from Allen, Shelby, Darke and Van Wert counties, he said. However, not all plowers are farmers. Some are doctors, lawyers or engineers.

"A lot of competitors don't have anything to do with farming," he said. "All of a sudden, we all become the same level."

Although COVID-19 posed a challenge at first and the traditional banquet had to be adjusted, Hayes said he's excited to see a national match finally come to Mercer County. The banquet will be held after the competition and will be served picnic-style rather than the wedding-style event to which plowers are accustomed.

The event is free and open to the public and will be held at 5981 State Route 707 in Mendon. National matches will take place on July 31-Aug. 1, and state matches will be on Aug. 2.

For more information, Hayes said he can be contacted at 419-363-3806.