Plowing Bee seeds crops for harvest

Seeded field to be harvested on Labor Day weekend

Teresa Simpson, Whitman County Gazette | Apr 25, 20240

Justin Slayton | The Gazette count

Roger and Claireine Cool, of Plummer, Idaho, drive their horses during the April 20, 2024, Plowing Bee organized by the Palouse Empire Threshing Association. The sowed seeds will be harvested Labor Day weekend.

Justin Slayton | The Gazette count

Alexia VandeKamp drives a team of horses during the April 20 Plowing Bee near the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds

COLFAX - The Palouse Empire Threshing Association had a successful annual Plowing Bee last weekend.

The old fashioned plowing bee took place at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday April 20-21, in the field across from the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds on state Highway 26.

Co-organizer Eric Reiber said the first day was great due to good weather. "We didn't finish the seeding, but everything else got done," he said of the second day. "The seed bed got prepared and that was the main thing."

Reiber said this year's event had a decent turnout from teamsters and teams, with thirteen teams showing up.

Reiber said there was probably between approximately 50 to 60 animals, horses and mules. "They got a lot of exercise," he said.

There were three antique tractors that helped to plow and cultivate the crop this year, Reiber said.

"We hope to see everybody at the Threshing Bee Sunday of labor day weekend," Reiber said, noting that they will be harvesting the crop they seeded during the plowing bee.