Old-fashioned farming exhibition comes to Wilson Creek

WILSON CREEK — At the turn of the 19th century almost all farming was done by horse and plow and took much longer than it does today. With the technological innovations brought in the past 50 years, the old methods of farming could be lost in time were it not for events like the one coming up in Wilson Creek next weekend.

The Bohnet and Walker families, in partnership with the Wilson Creek FFA, have been putting on the Wilson Creek Plowing Days for the past 20 years. This year's exhibition featuring teams of draft horses and mules will be held from March 25-26.

The plowing days are a throwback farming demonstration in which farmers from all over eastern Washington will come with draft horses, mules and oxen to exhibit the old ways of farming.

"For us it's a chance to get together and socialize, but we invite the public," said Todd Bohnet.

The plowing days will begin on Saturday at around 10 a.m. at the Bohnet farm near Wilson Creek with plowing exhibitions until around noon. At that time, the Wilson Creek FFA will put on a barbecue. The group uses the barbecue as a fund-raiser for their expenses throughout the year.

After lunch more plowing demonstrations will take place until about 3 p.m. "depending on the weather and how long people want to stay out," said Todd.

Sunday will follow the same schedule with the plowing starting at 9 a.m. and another FFA barbecue at around noon.

Todd said that the schedule is pretty wide open, adding, "once in a while someone will hook up a wagon and take people around in the wagon, it just depends on the people."

There is no fee for the plowing days and organizers believe it is a great opportunity to "see how farming was done at the turn of the century," Todd said.

For more information on the Wilson Creek Plowing Days or for directions on how to get out to the exhibition, contact Todd Bohnet at (509) 345-0211. There will be signs from the highway to direct visitors.