08/06/2026
The Bruce County Historical Society is proud to announce the release of its newest publication, Furrows of Bruce County: A Harvest of Stories from the Farm.
Fresh off the press, this 170-page book celebrates 175 years of farming in Bruce County through a rich collection of 77 articles and stories that honour the people, traditions, and innovations that have shaped our agricultural heritage.
Readers will discover the beginnings of agriculture in Bruce County, the growth and evolution of family farms, the diaries and experiences of farm women, the history of fall fairs and plowing matches, and much more. The book is generously illustrated with historic photographs of livestock, vintage tractors, threshing crews, ploughs, and, of course, the furrows that symbolize generations of hard work on the land.
Furrows of Bruce County is a tribute to the farmers and agricultural workers whose dedication has played such a vital role in the county's history. It traces the development of farming from the earliest settlement of Bruce County in the 19th century through the advances of the 20th and 21st centuries.
The book's 77 articles are organized into 12 sections, covering topics from pioneer agriculture to the state of Bruce County's Holstein herds in 2025, contributed by Society President Joyce Osborne. The final chapters explore the enduring traditions of local fall fairs and the county's premier agricultural event—the International Plowing Match.
Copies of Furrows of Bruce County: A Harvest of Stories from the Farm are available for $35. To order a copy, contact the Bruce County Historical Society's Book Sales Director, Bill Stewart, at [email protected].
The book is also available at the following retailers:
• Bruce County Museum, Southampton
• Treasure Chest Museum, Paisley
• Holst Office Supplies, Walkerton and Hanover
• Bruce County Bookstore, Cargill
• Little Blue House Coffee Shop, Tiverton
• Hamilton's Toys and More, Kincardine
• Berford Street Books, Wiarton
• The Shops at 84 Main, Lion's Head
• Readers' Haven Book Store, Tobermory
• Treats & Tales, Kincardine
Visit us at the International Plowing Match this September!
The Bruce County Historical Society will be exhibiting in the History Tent, where visitors can explore Bruce County's rich agricultural past. Be sure to stop by the Society's booth in the Souvenir Tent to purchase your copy of Furrows of Bruce County: A Harvest of Stories from the Farm.
While you're at the International Plowing Match, don't miss Tent City, featuring more than 100 acres of exhibitors, live entertainment, antique machinery, quilt displays, artisan vendors, and historical and educational exhibits celebrating rural life and agriculture.
Whether you're a lifelong farmer, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about Bruce County's agricultural roots, Furrows of Bruce County offers a fascinating look at the stories that have cultivated our community for 175 years.
