SOUTHWICK – The Agricultural Commission wants to remind the community about their 5th Annual Tractor Rally taking place on April 27 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. with a rain date set for April 28.
This event is open to the public and people are allowed and encouraged to bring their tractors to the event. Organizers would like to see both old and new tractors. In the past, there has been anywhere from 25 to 30 tractors at the event.
Besides the tractors being on display, there will live music from Whiskey Junction, pony rides available for the children, and a variety of vendors.
Several tractors are seen on display at last year’s Tractor Rally at the Southwick DPW. (Photo from Agricultural Commission)
According to Burt Hanson, Vice-Chairman of the Agricultural Commission, they have added a number of different activities. One such activity will be a “Play in the Hay” wagon where children can jump around in a wagon filled with hay. Additionally, the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association will provide soil testing. The association is asking people to bring a cup of soil to the event ahead of time. The association will then have that soil tested and measured with an instrument in order to see what the pH is of the soil.
“Hopefully that would be a popular thing,” said Hanson.
Although it’s a free event, the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association is suggesting a $2 donation.
Offering another opportunity for people interested in gardening, there will be information and registrations at the tractor rally for community garden plots at the Sofinowski Preserve on Mort Vining Road. People are able to register for $20 in order to have their own 12 by 24 ft. garden plot for the growing season. Hanson said that the plots at Sofinowski Preserve will be open at some point in May and will go until November.
Also available will be raffles with all of the proceeds from the purchased raffle tickets going back to the Agricultural Commission. Some of that money will be used towards having landscaping done at the community garden at the Sofinowski Preserve. The plan is to also use the funds to enhance the current fence at the community garden with chicken wire in order to keep out animals.
The Agricultural Commission received about $200 in proceeds at last year’s tractor rally and is important for the growth of the commission moving forward.
“It supports the activities and the Agricultural Commission doing business,” said Hanson.
For questions about the upcoming tractor rally, contact the Southwick Agricultural Commission at 413-569-6907.
Created at a special town meeting in 2006, the Agricultural Commission promotes agriculture throughout the town by looking at economic opportunities, protecting farmlands, and among other things.
