Aaron Vastine, winner of the Fine Plowing competition plows with his Clydesdales, Duke and Lady.

Pat Hlubik, 2nd place winner in Fine Plowing, with his Belgians Pearl, Sparky and Emma.

Experienced plowers competed in the Old Timer Plowing using the Howell Farm team of Belgians Jack and Chester. Old Timer judge Ernie Johnson is seen at left watching the technique.

Visitors with no experience plowing competed in the Novic Plowing with the Howell Farm team of mixed workhorse breeds Bill and Jesse. Judge P.J. Flory is seen behind Bill giving guidance while Howell Farm volunteer Kevin Watson drives the horses.

During lunch the Jugtown Mountain String Band entertained the large number of visitors enjoying the day on the lawn of the farmhouse.

After lunch the awards were presented. Aaron Vastine was presented with the blue ribbon for the Fine Plowing contest. Aaron was also presented with the Ben Ellingson Award that recognizes the contributions that American farmers are making in international agriculture. Joining Pete Watson in presenting the award is Ella Johnston of Loretto, Tenessee, daughter of farmer and rancher Ben Ellingson who trained many Peace Corps volunteers and persons interested in farming with animal traction power.

At the awards ceremony a special recognition was given to Bob Simkins, a life-long Mercer County farmer, charter member of the Trustees of the Friends of Howell Living History Farm, and announcer at the plowing match for each of its 25 years.

In the afternoon eight of the draft horses were hitched to a big hitch of logs driven by plowing judge Elvin Lapp of Kinzers, Pennsylvania.

The eight horse demonstration was a picturesque events for the many visitors.

The main event of the afternoon was the obstacle course. Contestants were judged on overall time with added time penalties for touches or knockdowns of the cones and tennis balls that made up the course. In these photos Pat Hlubik, winner of the obstacle course competition, is seen maneuvering the heavily loaded hay wagon through the course.

In this photo Pat Hlubik recieves the obstacle course first place award from judge Ed Schultze of Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.

We hope you will join us for the 26th annual Plowing Match in 2009.