After winning the Ontario Plowing Championship in Finch in 2015 and the Canadian Plowing Championship last summer in Ottawa, Tom Evans of Tiverton is now preparing for a trip to Kenya to compete in the World Plowing Championship.
The Bruce County plower says there many logistics to work out before he makes the trek to Africa in November.
"The biggest hurdle that we have is the lack of equipment there to borrow or rent. Tractors are actually not an issue. We've made an arrangement to have two brand new tractors to use when we get there," says Evans.
"The plow is the biggest problem. We have special competition plows which are setup and modified for competing, they don't have anything there we can use so we have to send something."
Evans notes every little detail must be looked after before shipping, as finding items like a measuring tape, tools and spare parts can be difficult in Kenya.
Joining the reversible plower will be Jay Lennox of Ayton, who'll compete in the conventional category.
Both are holding fundraising dinners in the near future to help alleviate travel and shipping costs.
Evans' buffet-style dinner and auction can be attended by donation on April 8th at the Underwood Hall. He can also be sponsored through www.brucecountyplowmen.ca.
Lennox's dinner goes April 1st at 6:30pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling (519) 374-4055.
Evans adds field conditions are much different in Kenya, as the ground is made up of clay and volcanic ash.
As a result, he's had to resort to building custom plastic moldboards.
He's also talked with Barry and Gregg Timbers who competed in Kenya in 1995 and says their advice on conditions and the pressure of taking part in a world event has been very valuable.
