Local farmers from Pain Court are getting some praise after the Canadian Plowing Championships last week.
Matthew Sterling from Pain Court was crowned the Junior Canadian Conventional Champion, 2022 Junior Champion Plowmen at the championship in Rivers, Manitoba. He was also the recipient of the Junior Scholarship of $1,000 to help with his post-secondary education.
Sterling's brother, Brian, also competed in the Canadian championship event and placed third overall in the Senior Conventional Class.
"We were able to experience the Canadian championships for the first time," said Brian. "You're competing with the best of the best across Canada."
According to Sterling, the Pain Court pair not only represented Chatham-Kent but all of Ontario as well.
"We are very proud to have been able to represent our local area as well as all of Ontario," said Sterling.
Both brothers have been involved in farming nearly their whole lives up until this point. Sterling said they have both gained experience from matches through the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce 4H and other matches across the province.
"There's no such thing as the perfect plowman or being the best at it," said Sterling. "It doesn't matter what field you go into, whether it's 1000 kilometres away or 5 kilometres away. You're going to experience a different land condition that is going to bring new challenges and will require you to adjust accordingly."
Next year’s event will be held in Chilliwack, BC.