Adams SWCD and the World Plowing Match
The Adams Soil and Water Conservation District was formed in 1944. Today, as then, our mission is to provide leadership and services that enable Ohioans to conserve, protect and enhance soil, water and land resources.
In 1954, ten years after its formation, the Adams SWCD began making plans to help the county host the 1957 World Plowing Match. So the fifth annual World’s Plowing Match and Conservation Exposition was held on 2,500 acres north of the village. Fourteen nations, representing twenty countries, participated.
Three years of intensive planning were required to prepare the surrounding area for the event. Sixteen farms had to be “redesigned” to allow for the successful completion of the project. The monumental task of organizing the event took place before the internet was developed, before efficient phone service was in place, and before email, cell phones, and texting was available. Most communication was facilitated by postal mail, and there were twenty countries to communicate with! When put in proper perspective, one can understand the length of time needed to make it all happen.
The Adams Soil and Water Conservation District was formed in 1944. Today, as then, our mission is to provide leadership and services that enable Ohioans to conserve, protect and enhance soil, water and land resources.
In 1954, ten years after its formation, the Adams SWCD began making plans to help the county host the 1957 World Plowing Match. So the fifth annual World’s Plowing Match and Conservation Exposition was held on 2,500 acres north of the village. Fourteen nations, representing twenty countries, participated.
Three years of intensive planning were required to prepare the surrounding area for the event. Sixteen farms had to be “redesigned” to allow for the successful completion of the project. The monumental task of organizing the event took place before the internet was developed, before efficient phone service was in place, and before email, cell phones, and texting was available. Most communication was facilitated by postal mail, and there were twenty countries to communicate with! When put in proper perspective, one can understand the length of time needed to make it all happen.
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CONSERVATION PRACTICES INSTALLED
TYPE UNIT TOTAL Contour Strips acres 253 Contouring acres 158 Crop Rotation acres 953 Cover Crops acres 4 Pasture Seeding acres 227 Pasture Improvement acres 163 Grassland Farming acres 130 Woodland Protection acres 90 Woodland Improvement acres 21 Tree Planting acres 8 Wildlife Improvement acres 17 Fish Pond Management qty 3 Hedgerow Planting rods 890 Farm Drainage acres 824 Closed Drains rods 600 Waterway Construction acres 19 Spring Development qty 3 Ponds qty 7 Open Drains (ditch) miles 1 Land Clearing acres 35 Diversion Terraces miles 6 Drop Inlets qty 4 Sod Chute qty 1 |
FARMS THAT WERE INVOLVED
Charles Bihl & Clifton Riley Guy Lieurance (John Reynolds) Otis Reynolds P.M. Butt Sam Butt Russell Webb James Wolfe George McCoy Margaret Wickerham Noel Lindamood Orva Thompson Steve Green Treber Bennington Richard Reynolds Mrs. Thomas Kite Estate E & E Simmons |
FACTS AND FIGURES
1267 plane landings (not counting the 400 or more landings made by the planes shuttling 1200 passengers on the Air Tour) 1000 passengers took the helicopter tour of inspection OVER 250,000 people attended the 4 day event $10,000,000.00 farm machinery exhibit on display (the world’s largest exhibit ever shown) 75,000 people took the Wagon Tours |
50th Anniversary Celebration (1957-2007) Photos