Farm employee soccer vs OPP highlights sports day

Leah Bauer

Advocate Contributor

Community members, farm workers, and members of the local OPP branch gathered at Wind-Del Community Park for the 3rd annual Farm to Farm Tug of War and OPP versus Farm Workers Soccer Match on Sunday, July 5th.

The highly anticipated sports day brought hundreds together in support of The Chill Spot, and its adjacent On the Farm Magazine.

The Chill Spot is a new space in downtown Simcoe which offers exactly what the name entails, a chill place for farm workers. The Chill Spot is a place for farm workers to rest, receive needed support, and enjoy a well-deserved break from the farm.

Leanne Arnal, organizer of the event and The Chill Spot, hopes that both the new space and the event itself help to ensure farm workers feel like they are included in the community.

“It is important to help all members of our community feel welcomed,” said Arnal. “Farm workers are so important to Norfolk County, and to Canada, and they should always feel like they are a part of the community and not apart from the community.”

That sentiment is what guided Arnal to begin the annual Tug of War and OPP versus Farm Worker Soccer Match. The event brings in workers from farms across Norfolk County and it offers a special opportunity for all members of the community to come together.

This year, Arnal added in some new events such as the Dunk Tank, where participants were able to make a donation to dunk community leaders, farm owners, and members of the OPP. The event also included a cricket match, and a jerk chicken eating contest.

Proceeds from the event go towards The Chill Spot, and On the Farm Magazine, both aspects of the non-profit work to raise awareness about farm workers, support farm workers, and help increase the feeling of community with farm workers and full-time residents.