2013 DAPNet Spring Plowing Clinics with Sam Rich

Students of the Plow (this includes the perpetual student type too), there are 10 days left until the clinic price goes up (April 1 ), so take advantage of the pre-registration prices now. Come plow under the guidance of former National Plowing Champion Sam Rich. Use this opportunity to prepare your plow and animals for success in the field, practice what you learn and go home ready to take on your own plowing project. Auditors, watch the details of how to tune-up and fix various plows, watch how to prepare your animal(s) for success using the plow, making adjustments in the field, starting and finishing a land, plowing in garden, corn ground and possibly sod too, vertical and skim plowing can be touched on if there is interest as well. We are only limited by time, there is a lot to cover in 3 days!

Event highlights so far:
-Pioneer Homesteader with plow attachment will be used with a team of Halflingers on a garden plot, just the thing that these beauties were designed to do. The garden plot is seeded down to winter rye and has some brassica trash, so if you are interested in seeing a how a Homesteader handles, this is the place to be the Weekend of April 20 & 21.
– We have a walking plow that we will be refurbishing and putting new handles on. New handles is easy to do, but not easy to do well. If you would like to see how it is done, Friday is the day to attend.
– Also Friday we will be sharpening a plow point and taking a single Oliver walking plow from a useless heap of scrap metal to a useful tool.
– We won’t know until the last minute, but we have new neighbors that would like to bring their single plow and Suffolk mare to the clinic if they move to CT in time for the event, we wish them well and hope to see them.
– Besides a Homesteader and a walking plow we would love to attract someone who wants help with their sulky plow, they are functionally similar to the others, but there are much more to them to fix and tune up, we have a couple to tinker with as examples if this turns into a walking plow only event.
– We-Li-Kit Farm will be demonstrating plowing with a 2 way Sulky Plow, and plowing with steers and a walking plow if time permits and attendees are interested.
– Food, no DAPNet event is complete without excellent meals and good company. Homemade meals including some home grown goodness, vegetarian and gluten free options if requested, please register early so that we can plan ahead. Rumor has it that a fiddle and a banjo have been invited to the supper on Saturday.

Take advantage of this unique opportunity this year, because Sam will be taking a break from the clinic next year as he delves into a new business and readies his horses for a serious competition.

We hope to see you in Abington, CT for this unique event,

We are very close to having enough teamsters and attendees for the DAPNet Plow Clinic.  If you intend to join us next weekend please speak up, tomorrow is the deadline.

We have on board 3 walking plows, a sulky plow and a shiny new Pioneer Homesteader!  Haflingers, Suffolks, Percherons and Milking Shorthorns will be represented.  We have three types of ground that we will be able to work, old corn ground, sod and a rye cover crop in a large garden.  Teamsters of all skill levels will be coming from 5 different states, discussions should be delightful and educational.

We welcome you to Abington!  Please contact Bekah 802-763-0771 or dapnetinfo@gmail.com, or Erika (518) 441-9870 tomorrow Monday April 15th if you plan on coming but haven’t contacted us yet.

Thanks,

Sue Brennan, daughter of the much respected Bob Brennan, will also be joining us this weekend.  Bob’s old plow needs some new points, some work to the beam and a general tune-up.  Sue will take off Saturday to the ECTDHA Plow Match and then join us again on Sunday for some advanced field work plowing around a land.

There is still room for one more last minute teamster and no limit to the number of auditors, so feel free to register at the last minute, this is sure to be a memorable clinic.

Find a teamster that is willing to open his farm/shop up to participants, the teamster doesn’t have to know everything but should be willing to teach what they know.  Get some insurance, a pot-a-john, someone willing to cook and advertise it in every place that you can think of.

Sam Rich is not someone interested in promoting himself, but many of us at DAPNet wanted some more in depth instruction about plowing so he was asked if he would do a clinic. “As long as DAPNet is willing to do the leg work” was his answer.  So if you can find a teamster that you want to learn from and 2-3 people that are willing to do the paper work and maybe the cooking, make the teamster an offer, the worst that they can say is no thanks.

If more people would be willing to be teachers and others are able to support them, we could do a lot of good for the draft animal community everywhere.

I hope that answers your question.

Erika

The video doesn’t seem to be working, here are a few photos.

One plow traveled via Corolla from Northern NY.

Chalk lines snapped to evaluate and adjust Don’s plow

Jay Bailey doing a smashing job of finishing the land with a dead furrow, a little deep, but given the wear on Jay’s point this was an amazing job.

Jay Chases land with the Pioneer homesteader, not very deep, but a great plot for a garden!