Howell Living History Farm will hold its 25th Annual Plowing Match on Saturday, August 30 from 9:30am until 4:00pm. The public is invited to watch and participate in the event, which features old-fashioned plowing and obstacle course competitions, a craft and pony rides for children, and lots of food, music and old fashioned fun.

2007 fine plowing winner Aaron Vastine strikes out (cuts his first furrow) with his team of Clydesdales.

A dozen teams of draft animals from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York are entered in the match, which tests the performance of farmers, their horses and oxen, and their plows as they turn furrows. Judging will take place from 10:00am until noon, conducted by Jeremy Mills of Hamilton Square.   Winners of the Fine Plowing Class will receive trophies, ribbons and cash prizes.

Members of the general public aged 16 and older can try their hand at plowing in a Novice Class at 11:00am. Experienced plowers without horses may use a Howell Farm hitch to compete in the Old Timer Class at 10:30am. Persons entering either of these classes must register at the announcement stand by 10:15am. Winners receive ribbons and caps.

Children's activities will be offered from 11:00am-3:00pm, including pony rides and a craft program, "Boot Scraper": cost $4.

Sheep, chickens and pigs can be seen in the farmyard area all day.

Beginning at noon, hungry plowers and visitors can lunch on roast pork sandwiches, a chicken BBQ, Kosher franks and Howell Farm potatoes and sweet corn. Noontime festivities will include music by the Jugtown Mountain String Band, door prizes, plowing award presentations, and demonstrations by the New Jersey Museum of Agriculture.

At 2:15pm, visitors can watch as teamsters use their animals to pull a wagon through an obstacle course.

Cash prizes for professional classes are furnished by the Friends of Howell Farm, and made possible through donations from Janssen Pharmaceutica of Hopewell Township, Trap Rock Industries of Kingston and J. & G. Conard of Flemington.

For photographs of the 25th Annual Plow Match held August 30, 2008 click here.