 2019 will be a big year for Lake of the Woods County, partially because the world plowing competition will be driving into the area that summer. Our own Cheryl Moore has details on the impact the contest will bring to northern Minnesota. When you think of Lake of the Woods County, you might think of walleye and fishing, but soon, the world will also know them as a top plowing destination. First off, what an honor for the United States to host this worldwide competition for Lake of the Woods to get it is just really, really humbling. In 2019, we would be hoping to bring anywhere from 30 to 30 two or three countries to the contest. The world plowing competition has been around since 1953. Last year was in Kenya, and this fall it will be in Germany. But come 2019, the competition will hit Lake of the Woods. This meeting was held in Badet to discuss logistics of the competition. It's very much about how the plowing looks when it's plowed, how straight it is, how little grass is showing or how little stubble is showing. While it is a competition, it also celebrates the art of plowing. There will be a weekend of festivities including a parade of tractors and a blessing of the plows. Lake of the Woods is looking at all of northern Minnesota to help pull everything off. We're working with neighboring communities on different activities and housing. You know, we have a ton of details to work out as far as, you know, making sure that we have proper security, making sure that medical is covered, making sure we have the right infrastructure. Lake of the Woods has taken this as an opportunity to share with the world what the county is all about. They're living by the World Plowing Organization's mantra, which is to let peace cultivate the land, to help aid in their planning. So many countries descending on the area is fantastic and so many different cultures, different languages, families arriving, friends arriving, and you know, meeting all those people, getting to know them, creating lasting friendships. You know, there's lifelong friendships have been created through plowing. Minnesota is such a welcoming state to bring them to the Midwest, to Minnesota, and just to roll the red carpet and to share some really great experiences with them is going to be a very special time. We have to go back to the World Association now, tell them what do we think? Is America ready for the, for the kindness next year? And there's no question America is ready and Lake of the Woods, Woods will be a really good experience. Reporting in Badet, Shawmar, Lakeland News. As you can imagine, a competition of this size will require many volunteers. So if you'd like to get involved, you can contact Joe Henry through email. We have that information with this story online. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland news, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.