Chatham-Kent will soon be home to what's called “the Olympics of Farming.”
The municipality will host the 2018 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo.
This year, the IPM is being held in Minto in Wellington County and it begins on Tuesday. When it does, officials from Chatham-Kent will be there to make notes.
It’s estimated about 100,000 people attend the IPM every year – 75,000 people would be out-of-town visitors -- and their visit would generate millions of dollars for the local economy.
Councillor Darrin Canniff, who is the co-chair of the 2018 IPM Committee, estimates the economic benefit will range from $15 to $20 million.
The 2018 IPM will take place near Pain Court on 1,000 acres of land, but only 150 acres are dedicated to actual plowing.
The rest of the area will become “a tent city” – to showcase the agriculture community through shows and booths.
Chatham-Kent Agriculture Specialist Kim Cooper wants the IPM to showcase what the entire municipality has to offer.
He adds the IPM brings people together as residents and service clubs volunteer their time, and there’s events and entertainment for kids and adults.
More than 1,500 people will be needed to volunteer their time over the five day event in 2018.
The last time the IPM was held in Chatham-Kent was 1979.
