What’s old is new again at Walpole Antique Farm Machinery Association

The Walpole Antique Farm Machinery Association maintains a wide collection of tractors and old farm equipment. ~ Luke Edwards photo

By Luke Edwards

It doesn’t take an expert to see how much farming has changed following a quick walk through the grounds of the Walpole Antique Farm Machinery Association.

The Jarvis volunteer group maintains a large collection of antique tractors and farm implements, opening the grounds throughout the summer months to give visitors a little taste of yesteryear.

“It keeps the younger generation informed on our antique tractors and traditions,” said Don Crawford, as he and a small team of volunteers got the property spruced up ahead of a May long weekend tour that included WAFMA and a few other stops.

Over more than 20 years the group has acquired quite a collection of equipment and buildings, moving them onto the property, and where possible getting the equipment into working order. Visitors can see just about every make and model of tractor going back several decades. Many have local ties, not just in their previous owner, but in some cases having been manufactured locally.

Some equipment, like the tractors, more or less resemble their contemporary counterparts. However, others look quite foreign to today’s farm operations. Take the antique hay loader on site.

“It’d save guys pitching it in by hand,” said Gary Phibbs.

Then there’s the old threshers and wire-tie balers, that used some good, old-fashioned engineering ingenuity to make the difficult job of farming a little less challenging.

Some of the implements used literal horse power, others used steam engines.

Much of that equipment has been replaced, with single tools doing the job of two or three old machines, and powerful tractors - now equipped with high-tech computer equipment - making farming a continual evolution.

Walking around the grounds reminds Crawford of how times have changed and “how hard you had to work,” back in the older times.

“We owe our grandparents a lot of thanks,” he said.

The property is also home to the Jarvis Train Station, which they moved from its former location up the road where Tim Hortons is now located. It includes artifacts from the town’s past, with a focus on the railroad, which for a long time was a vital mode of transportation.

WAFMA maintains about 25 members. Though down from its heyday of around 60, Phibbs said they’re all committed and work hard to make the grounds the best it can be. They welcome any new members who have an interest in old farm equipment, whether they come from an agricultural background or not.

“It’s the fellowship, the history,” said Phibbs. “Always looking for something you don’t see very often.”

The Victoria Day weekend event is a warmup of sorts to the association’s Civic Day weekend celebration. There, visitors will have a chance to see some of the equipment in action, along with a petting zoo, wagon rides, tractor pulls and more. It runs Saturday through Monday, Aug. 1 to 3.

They also hold regular fundraisers, including an oyster supper in March, the May tour, a steak barbecue in June, the August Heritage Days, and a September beef barbecue. There are also barn dances at the property, and it’s been known to host the occasional wedding for members getting married.

Every two years they do a tree planting to honour members who have died.

For more information visit the WAFMA Facebook page or call the president at 519-587-2601.