About the Match

A Celebrated Ontario Tradition Showcasing Agriculture, Innovation & Rural Community Spirit Since 1913

The International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (IPM) is one of Ontario’s most iconic agricultural traditions—an event that has united farmers, rural residents, exhibitors, and visitors since 1913. Organized by the Ontario Plowmen’s Association, the IPM is far more than a competition; it is a full-scale celebration of agricultural heritage, rural innovation, and community collaboration. Each year, a different Ontario municipality proudly hosts the event, transforming open farmland into a thriving temporary town.

A Tradition Rooted in Farming Excellence & Rural Cooperation

The IPM began in the early 20th century when Ontario’s agricultural leaders sought an event where farmers could compete, learn, educate the public, and share new ideas. Plowing, an essential skill and symbol of agricultural craftsmanship—became the centrepiece competition.

The earliest matches showcased:

• Horse-drawn plowing
• Teamwork, precision & soil knowledge
• Field crop demonstrations
• Machinery advancements of the era

Over time, the event expanded to include modern mechanized plowing, heritage techniques, and agricultural education programs for all ages.

Agriculture at the Heart of the IPM

While the IPM has grown into one of the province’s largest outdoor events, agriculture remains at its core:

• Conventional, reversible, antique & horse-drawn plowing divisions
• Soil management and land stewardship demonstrations
• Field crop displays and research plots
• Modern farm machinery showcases
• Educational programs promoting rural literacy
• Agricultural exhibitors representing every sector of Ontario farming

These elements highlight the innovation, heritage, and skill that define Ontario’s agricultural landscape.

Exhibitions, Learning & Rural Showcase Programming

The IPM includes a wide variety of exhibits and activities designed to inform, entertain, and inspire:

• Homecraft, quilting, baking & textile exhibits
• Rural artisans, woodworkers & demonstrators
• Livestock showcases
• 4-H exhibits & youth learning zones
• Heritage reenactments and cultural presentations
• Agri-food education hubs
• Vendor marketplaces and local culinary artisans

This combination brings together the very best of rural Ontario creativity.

Youth Participation & Agricultural Literacy

The IPM places major emphasis on youth involvement, delivering programs that help young people:

• Understand modern agriculture
• Build leadership and teamwork skills
• Participate in competitions and displays
• Explore careers in agri-food
• Contribute to their communities through 4-H and school projects

Generational traditions, families competing or volunteering together—remain a defining element of the IPM experience.

Powered by Volunteers, Municipal Partners & Local Pride

One of the IPM’s most remarkable strengths is its volunteer foundation. Each host community forms a Local Organizing Committee supported by hundreds of volunteers who help build, operate, and host the event. Their work includes:

• Preparing fields and infrastructure
• Coordinating vendors and exhibitors
• Supporting competitors
• Providing hospitality and services
• Showcasing their community at a provincial scale

Their dedication ensures that the IPM remains both successful and deeply rooted in regional identity.

A Celebration of Rural Identity Across Ontario

Each year, the IPM reflects Ontario’s most enduring agricultural values:

• Excellence in farming skills
• Innovation and technological progress
• Heritage preservation
• Youth leadership
• Volunteer commitment
• Community collaboration

A Tradition That Travels — And Thrives

More than 100 years after its founding, the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo continues to stand as one of Ontario’s greatest agricultural celebrations, honouring farming tradition, advancing rural innovation, and uniting communities across the province.

About the Community

A Purpose-Built Rural Town That Springs to Life Each Year — Built by Volunteers, Farmers & Local Residents

Unlike any other event in Ontario, the International Plowing Match creates a temporary community that rises from open fields and farmland each year. This “IPM Town” is a remarkable collaboration between landowners, volunteers, service clubs, contractors, and municipal partners, built solely for the purpose of hosting tens of thousands of visitors.

A Town Built From Scratch

Each IPM site transforms agricultural land into a fully functioning rural community that includes:

• Streets, temporary signage & layout grids
• Large exhibition tents and homecraft buildings
• Livestock and plowing competition fields
• Food courts & vendor markets
• Entertainment areas and educational pavilions
• Accessibility routes, pathways & transit loops
• Emergency, sanitation & municipal service stations

Infrastructure is designed so the entire “town” can operate smoothly for the duration of the event before returning to farmland once again.

A Hub of Local Participation

The temporary IPM community is powered by:

• Farmers who provide land and equipment
• Municipal staff who coordinate logistics
• Local businesses supplying services and expertise
• Residents who volunteer in large numbers
• Service clubs, youth groups & agricultural organizations

This level of collaboration transforms the event into a true community-driven celebration.

A Showcase for the Host Region

Each year’s host community highlights its:

• Local history and rural heritage
• Cultural identity and traditions
• Agricultural strengths and industries
• Tourism attractions and natural landscapes
• Community pride and volunteer spirit

Many municipalities use the IPM as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to introduce their region to the wider province.

A Community That Lives On — Even After It’s Gone

When the event concludes, the temporary IPM town is carefully dismantled, and the fields return to agricultural use. What remains is:

• Stronger community bonds
• Improved local visibility
• Enhanced volunteer capacity
• Renewed pride in agricultural heritage
• A lasting legacy for the host municipality

A Community That Exists Because of Agriculture — And For Agriculture

The IPM’s temporary community embodies rural Ontario’s greatest strengths:

• Collaboration
• Resourcefulness
• Heritage
• Hard work
• Innovation
• Pride in agricultural roots

A Community That Comes Alive Once a Year

From plowing fields to exhibition tents, from youth zones to homecraft displays, from food courts to education hubs, the IPM town becomes a living celebration of rural Ontario, built entirely by the people who call those communities home.

🌾 Explore Nearby Agritourism Experiences

Visitors attending the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo in Walkerton may also enjoy exploring nearby agritourism experiences and attractions in Bruce County and the BruceGreySimcoe region.

• Walkerton Farmers’ Market – Walkerton – a community market offering fresh produce, baked goods, meats, and artisan products
• Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre – Southampton – a museum showcasing the history and agricultural heritage of the region
• Paisley Farmers’ Market – Paisley – a local market featuring farm produce and handmade goods
• Inglis Falls Conservation Area – Owen Sound – a scenic natural attraction featuring waterfalls and hiking trails

Some nearby experiences include links to additional Ontario Agritourism Showcase pages with more visitor information.

Visitors interested in Ontario agricultural events may also enjoy exploring the Teeswater Fair, the Chesley Fair, and the Arran Tara Fall Fair, each celebrating the farming traditions and community heritage of Bruce County and surrounding rural communities.