“…funny thing happened on the way to the Old Thresher’s Reunion this year…” I made a detour and stopped at the Farm Progress show in Boone, Iowa. A monster of a show, Farm Progress is held in Boone, and alternates in Decatur, Illinois every other year. The Boone site has nearly 85 acres, and the show occupies an additional 300 acres for field demonstrations, plus 180 acres for visitor parking. And I think I parked on the 179th acre! The dates this year were August 28-30, 2012. Next year you can visit Decatur, Illinois on August 27-29, 2013 to see the show, and for more info you can go to www.farmprogress.com.

I didn’t spend enough time to see everything, but I got a taste of the show. Here’s one of our advertisers, Worthington, Ag Parts.
 

Several antique tractor clubs display their old iron on Antique Row.
 

I got to watch Orion Samuelson and Max Armstrong on stage. 
 

Moving on to the Old Threshers Reunion down the road in Mt Pleasant, the show dates were August 30-September 3, 2012. As has been our tradition, Farm Collector and Gas Engine Magazine are represented in a big tent area set up just east of the Grandstand and the food building. (A very strategic placing for those of us who work the booth. It’s close by the delicious meals, rib eye sandwiches and ice cream, to make sure we keep our strength up!)
 

And the daily Cavalcade of Power parade participants motor right by our tent, so we get a great view! 
 

Allis Chalmers was the tractor feature this year and it was also the Stickney gas engine reunion as well.
 

I always appreciate the fantastic prizes many of our advertisers donate. We get so many people who stop in to enter the prize drawing. And I love that every year someone stops in just to tell me that they got a prize last year and were so excited that they had actually won! See, you really can win, so stop in next year and enter! Here’s a picture of the prizes from this past show.
 

On Saturday we got some rain and I snapped this picture of these little girls. They know how to enjoy a puddle without getting too wet, and maybe the fashion craze will catch on!
 

Running around the grounds filling up gas tanks, I loved the PEP Gas boys' shirts! 
 

The Midwest Old Threshers Association opened a new Welcome Center on the grounds this year, a super addition and a testament to the continued growth of the association and the hobby!

It’s always fun to be a part of this show with tractors, engines, steam engines, villages, trains, trolleys, concerts … It’s a hopping place to be every Labor Day weekend. The next show is August 29-Sept. 2, 2013. See www.oldthreshers.org for details!

See you down the road!

According to Board Member Al Confer, the Tri-State Gas Engine Assn. has seen an average of 65,000 to 75,000 in attendance at their shows, and one year they got an estimated count of 96,000at the Tri-State Gas Engine Show! A real testament to the popularity of the antique tractor and engine hobby.

People, golf carts, tractors, and hey, what was that…!? All kinds of ways to get to that next place on the show grounds to see anything and everything. The vendors and exhibitors are lined up for rows and rows, and every year it seems to get bigger. With vendors selling whatever you need for that restoration or fixer upper, and anything collectible, you will surely find what your little old iron heart desires. There are field demonstrations and activities plus a craft and flea market area, too.

This year the feature was Case tractors and Kentucky-built engines. 

This was my mode of transportation this year! Kind of a mobile work station! 

Just as an example of some of the interesting sights to see, how about this? An old carnival ride tub mounted on a trailer. Get in and take a spin, it’s great for parties, and it’s for sale!! 

This guy greets everyone coming and going at the show. Love his outfit! 

And this couple knows how to see the show in style. This is Ralph, Jr. and Tammy Hart of Newberry, Indiana. 

Here are a few more show photos.

Come see the show next year August 21-25, 2013. And don’t forget there are Swap Meets in May and October!

Visit www.tristategasenginetractor.com, for more information.

See you down the road! 

Testing the waters in a different area than we are used to, we are finding that the stats for the outdoor, hunting, fishing and camping categories rank high with our Farm Collector and Gas Engine Magazine subscribers as well as the Grit and Mother Earth News readers. In light of that, I got to attend the Buckmaster Expo with colleagues Sheila Kearney and Denise Wiscombe. The Expo was held August 17-19, 2012, in Montgomery, Alabama. Sheila and I had the privilege of meeting Jody Mulder, Marketing Manager of Buckmaster, and his wife, Paige, along with Jordan Broderick, at the World Fishing and Outdoor Expo in New York in March. Jody graciously invited us to their Expo and it was a great show to see!
 
We got to meet Jackie Bushman, CEO of Buckmaster and well-known outdoorsman, Michael Waddell, Travis Turner and Nick Mundt of “The Bone Collectors”, plus Troy Landry with his sons Jacob and Chase from the TV Show “The Swamp People”! There was a 3 hour wait in line to meet them; they have quite a following!

Sheila was able to get her picture taken with Troy in the hotel lobby, and she’s even sporting her Jayhawk shirt in Alabama territory! 

The show vendors included products related to hunting, fishing, and camping, like Buck Knives, Thermacell, Barnett Crossbows, RealTree, Pennington, Nikon, etc. 

The Dock Dogs were there in competition, very fun to watch!

The Top Bow Indoor World Championship was also held during the show. 

And I even found a tractor at this show!!

Montgomery is rich with history and if you come to the Expo and have time, you can visit places close by, like the Hank Williams gravesite, the first White House of the Confederacy (pictured below), the church where Martin Luther King was a pastor and some great BBQ! Yes, I must have been a travel agent in my previous life!

Check it out next year and get yourself a new bow, knife, tree stand paraphernalia, a wildlife cam, turkey caller or camping equipment! See their link at www.buckmasters.com. See you down the road! 

Immediate News Release:
Heartland Acres Agribition Center
2600 Swan Lake Blvd.
Independence, Iowa 50644
319 332-0123
Attn: Craig Johnson

Heartland Acres Exhibits Turn 100 Years Old   

One of two 1912 Ford Brass C Model T’s which can be found at Heartland Acres Museum in Independence, Iowa.   

Were you born in October? Heartland Acres will help you celebrate your birthday by giving you half price museum admission for visiting us in October. You will also help us celebrate the 100th birthday of the two 1912 Ford Brass C Model T automobiles in our car museum.  

As an added bonus, Event Manager, Brian Bell stated “If you were born in 1912 and are also celebrating your 100th birthday you’ll receive free admission for yourself and 4 guests, treats, and we’ll take a picture of you with our Two T’s and have them framed for you.”   

Henry Ford and eleven business associates invested $28,000 to launch Ford Motor Company in 1903. In 1906 Henry Ford purchased the controlling interest in the company and launched his vision for Ford Motor Company.

The Model T or “Tin Lizzy” was produced from 1908 to 1927. More than 15 million Tin Lizzy's were sold during the production run. The Model T was the longest run of any single model other than the VW Beatle.

“As we wrap up another season for the museum, we are excited to bring our guests an opportunity to come see us and preview a few of the new displays launching in 2013,” commented Craig Johnson, Executive Director.

Heartland Acres is a non-profit 501(c ) (3) organization. For more information about Heartland Acres please visit us at www.heartlandacresusa.com, call (319) 332.0123 or find us on Facebook.  

Quite a place to have a show! I had never been to this one so, accompanied by Farm Collector Editor, Leslie McManus, I got to experience the sights and sounds created by Steve and Sylvia Bauer at the Little Log House Pioneer Village Antique Power Show in Hastings, Minnesota, July 27-29, 2012. The Bauer family has created a restored pioneer village to display some of southern Minnesota’s most prized artifacts, and it is a perfect setting for an antique tractor and engine show.

Here is what you are greeted by at the gate; does he stay up there all day!?

There is quite a hodgepodge of vintage iron across the grounds.

Walking through the displays, you can’t help but feel like you really did walk through a time warp. The 1950s Drive-In diner called Porky’s, surrounded by classic cars is one sight that pushes you though that time door.  (By the way, the cheese curds and burgers were awesome)

Up the hill, you can check out a working quarry.

Then walk across the old spiral bridge, which is a replica of the Hastings Spiral Bridge that was torn down in 1951. 

If you go, you have to enjoy the beauty and serenity of “Sylvia’s Garden.” A nice floral addition to a tractor show!

And right beside that is the old flour mill and water wheel. Lots of photo ops there. 

There is a main street setup with many impressive specialty displays, like a telephone building, a dress shop, a saloon, an old jail, and the Land Office, which had many pieces of history, photos, and survey equipment that helped build this land.

There was also military encampment with several different eras portrayed by the reenactors. When we walked though the army Quonset hut, they were polishing their boots, cleaning their guns, drinking out of old fashioned Coke bottles, and eating their MRE’s. There were even pin-up girls on the walls! It really made you feel like you had stepped back into time, or at least into an old war movie! 

There was a 1912 Big Four “30” gas tractor there with the self-steering device that was an exclusive feature of this tractor. A giant on the prairie, for sure.

This show is held the last full weekend in July. Mark your calendars for July 26-28, 2013, to visit and enjoy some history along with old tractors and engines, good food, music, and stop to smell the flowers in the garden along the way!

See you down the road! 

RFD-TV Breaks Guinness World Record for Largest Parade of Classic Tractors at the Nebraska State Fair 

Grand Island, NE (August 28, 2012) – The Guinness World Record for a parade of classic tractors is now 964 tractors/drivers thanks to a determined group of tractor owners at the Nebraska State Fair. The parade took place around the Fonner Park Racetrack after a morning thunderstorm as part of the opening weekend of events at the fair organized and sponsored by RFD-TV/RURAL TV.

 
Tractors had to be at least 30 years old to participate in the parade.

In order to qualify, each tractor provided a VIN/Serial number and was at least 30 years old. Over 1,000 tractors/drivers participated in RFD-TV and RURAL TV’s parade. A representative from Guinness certified that 964 classic tractors met all of the requirements and drove continuously around the track for a minimum of two miles. The previous record was 745 held by Elbach, Germany.

 
The previous world record for a parade of classic tractors was 745 participants and was held by Elbach, Germany. 

“I have never felt more pride in the history of RFD-TV,” said Patrick Gottsch, Founder & President of Rural Media Group, Inc. “The perseverance by our staff and these tractor enthusiasts through the mud was a sight to behold in itself, as they were not going to be denied the chance to break the Guinness record. Seeing over 1,000 classic tractors moving at one time was a real crowd pleaser.”

 
The tractors drove continuously around the track for a minimum of two miles. 

A capacity grandstand was filled with over 10,000 viewers in-and-around the Fonner Park track who witnessed this unprecedented display of machinery of the past. At least 31 states were represented, with 730 entries coming from Nebraska and the rest traveling great distances including some entries coming from as far away as New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Michigan, and Arizona. 

 
Over 10,000 people attended the event. 

With additional storm clouds gathering above Grand Island, NE, the rescheduling of the parade was put to a voice vote at an 11am driver meeting. It was unanimously decided that the parade was to continue as scheduled at 1pm when every driver threw their hand in the air and shouted “Today!”

 
Patrick Gottsch, Founder & President of Rural Media Group, Inc. proudly displays the Guiness World Record certificate. 

The parade was broadcast on RFD-TV and RURAL TV hosted by veteran farm broadcaster and tractor enthusiast Max Armstrong, along with KRVN’s Joe Greenwich.

About RFD-TV & RURAL TV:
Launched in December 2000, RFD-TV is the nation’s first 24-hour television network dedicated to servicing the needs and interests of rural America with programming focused on agriculture, equine and rural lifestyle, along with traditional country music and entertainment. Sister network, RURAL TV, launched in February 2012 and is a multimedia agribusiness and rural lifestyle network featuring primetime news broadcasts focused on agribusiness and rural policy issues; weather; world commodity market updates; extensive event coverage; international trade, farm and horse shows; expanded livestock auctions; equipment and ranch reports; plus independent productions designed to give agricultural professionals and hobbyists information to fit every interest and operation. Currently, the two networks are distributed to more than 55 million homes worldwide by DBS and cable systems including DISH Network, DIRECTV®, Comcast, Verizon FiOS TV, Mediacom, Charter, Optimum, Brighthouse, Suddenlink, Time Warner, Cox, and more than 600 independent rural cable systems. The bi-monthly RFD-TV The Magazine has more 180,000 paid subscribers, and the company operates RFD-TV The Theatre in Branson, Mo. Corporate headquarters are in Omaha, Neb., and production operations are in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.rfdtv.com and www.myruraltv.com. 

Well, now I can say I’m been to a large steam show – The Midwest Old Thresher’s Reunion in Mt Pleasant, Iowa, over Labor Day weekend was a blast, even as it was overwhelming in the scope and number of old iron attractions to be seen.  

I arrived in the middle of the wet – Hurricane Issac’s contribution to the weekend was a steady rain for much of Friday and Saturday, which meant that most collectors and exhibitors were keeping their engines, tractors and steam displays under tarps and tents, with few working demonstrations. But the rain wasn’t a complete dampener to the show festivities: There were a few collectors who braved the rain and were nice enough to tell me about their collections (thanks Brad!) – and the sporadic drizzle gave me a chance to explore the permanent displays during my forays from the Farm Collector tent. 

 
Brad Churchill and his brother had a few engines on display despite the rain, including this Keller engine and pump setup (that's Brad in the background). 

My first stop was the stationary steam power museum, which contains a great display of large-scale stationary steam at work. The two most arresting displays (set on either side of the door), are huge engines, with flywheels at least double my 5-1/2-foot height. The first is an Allis-Chalmers steam-powered water pump commissioned by the City of Marshaltown, Iowa, to pump filtered, treated water from a million-gallon reservoir into the city water main. Engine speed depended on the pressure in the water main and could vary from 8 rpm to 36-1/2 rpm in a single day, with a maximum capacity of 6-3/4 million gallons per day at 150 psi water pressure. The original cost is listed at $37,700 dollars (about 516,400 in 2012). It was donated to Midwest Old Threshers in 1970 and first operated at the club grounds in 1973. 

 
The Allis-Chalmers steam water pump. Members of Midwest Old Threshers spent over two years creating a foundation and getting the engine into full working order. 

The second engine is a Murray “Special” Corliss steam-powered generator manufactured for the Mt. Pleasant Mental Health Institute by Murray Iron Works, Burlington, Iowa, in 1920. The generator supplied all of the Institute’s electricity through World War II. 

 
This steam engine powers a belt-driven Allis-Chalmers generator with a DC output of 125 volts. 

I also got a chance to explore a few of the displays in the Heritage Museum, including an exhibit called “Women: Partners on the Land” and a display of gas engines as part of an exhibit about electricity on the farm. My boyfriend was particularly interested in the windmills display, and I got some hints about meat preservation techniques on early homesteads. 

 
This Hercules engine is part of a display concerning the impact of gas engines on farm power. 

 
Before pressure canners, meat was sometimes preserved by layering with lard. 

By Sunday afternoon things were drying out enough that the Parade of Power started up again (I actually got caught on the wrong side of it after taking a tour of the printing hall and got to see some scale Gaar-Scott steam engines firing up), and I was lucky enough to catch a bit of the steam threshing demonstration while enjoying a lunch of classic fair food. (A turkey leg, homemade rootbeer and funnel cake was the order of the day.) 

 
This display in the Printer's Hall shows a press designed for creating ruled paper like that found in spiral notebooks. 

 
Part of the steam threshing demonstration. 

On Monday the weather was sunny and hot, with fired-up steam engines whistling on the hour and hit-and-miss engines popping away the morning. I spent some time talking to Larry Raid who, in addition to having some very cool vertical gas engines on display, showed off his 3-1/2-by-4-1/2 Sigwald press and taught me to play a card game called Spit (no spitting involved, unless you accidently trip over your tongue in your haste to win).  

 
Using Larry's press to create a card with my name on it. 

As the morning warmed up I took some time to watch the steam train, try a dill pickle (pickle juice is a good, old fashioned electrolyte booster if you’re ever feeling dehydrated at a show – I don't know whether pickles themselves have similar uses, but it sure was delicious), and generally see more of the grounds. Our leave-taking  snuck up too soon, but I suppose there’s always next year – maybe then I’ll actually manage to take a tour of the Tractorland display and wander around all the steam traction engines too! 

 
So long, until next year! 

Immediate News Release:
Heartland Acres Agribition Center
2600 Swan Lake Blvd.
Independence, Iowa 50644
319 332-0123
Attn: Craig Johnson

Heartland Acres Exhibits – Supporting Statewide Events  

Historic exhibits from Heartland Acres Agribition Center will be visiting area attractions in September.  In an effort to better identify the Heartland Acres Agricultural Museum and Auto Museum with local and regional attractions, several exhibits from Heartland Acres will be on display at the John Deere Fall Fest and Salisbury House and Gardens.

John Deere Fall Fest being held in Waterloo, IA running September 6 – 8 will have a rare and meticulously restored John Deere 330 “Utility” tractor on display from Heartland Acres Tractor Museum.  The tractor is the fifth from the last one produced out of the Dubuque Assembly plant in 1960. The John Deere Fall Fest has many activities and events planned to go along with special exhibits. Follow the link for more information on the John Deere Fall Fest.

Salisbury House & Gardens in Des Moines will have several exhibits from Heartland Acres during the annual Salisbury Concours event on Sunday, September 9. On display from Heartland Acres Auto Museum will be a 1930 Studebaker President 8 Roadster and 1905 Cadillac Model F.  Salisbury House and Gardens makes for a beautiful setting to view these and other classic cars. Follow the link for more information on the Salisbury Concours.   

Other interesting and fun events in the State of Iowa may be found through Travel Iowa. Heartland Acres enjoys being part of an active and growing culture in Iowa to promote and enhance our quality of life through displays, interactive exhibits and hands-on activities.  

Heartland Acres is a non-profit 501(c ) (3) organization. For more information about Heartland Acres please visit us at www.heartlandacresusa.com  or call (319) 332.0123 or find us on facebook. 

After six months of working at Farm Collector, I finally made it to a farm show! I’ll be attending the Midwest Old Thresher’s reunion in Mt. Pleasant over Labor Day weekend with the rest of the Farm Collector staff, but I’ve been looking forward to finding opportunities to explore the farm collectibles hobby in person before then. The weekend of July 20provided a perfect chance: The Meriden Antique Engine and Threshers Association’s 36^th annual show was just a short morning drive away.

My boyfriend remembers attending the Meriden show when he was younger, but I didn’t grow up in the area, so it was all completely new to me. We went early to try and beat the three-digit temperatures, and on the last day of the show there weren’t very many people around. The people who were there all seemed to be enjoying a leisurely start to the day with the church service, conversation and some of the on-site food (my co-workers recommend the pie, which I unfortunately forgot to try). I spent about an hour taking pictures of the tractors and equipment on display – after the all the time I’ve been spending on research for our upcoming special issue this fall, I was especially interested in the Farmalls and IHC equipment. There were also a few more unusual tractors that I’m hoping to learn more about in the near future, especially the Rock Island 18-35. 

  
A 1940 Farmall A owned by Charles Jackson of Topeka, Kan. 

 
1925 1-1/2 hp McCormick-Deering also owned by Charles Jackson. 

 
A Farmall F12, serial number FS1534. Behind it is a Jaeger cement mixer built by The Jaeger Machine Co. Columbus, Ohio. 

 
I'd never seen a Rock Island tractor before. 

The show grounds also house several permanent displays, including a functioning 19th century flour mill, a blacksmith shop, a 22 hp Fairbanks-Morse engine (my boyfriend remembers it being used in a demonstration in previous years, but we didn’t have a chance to see that this year), and a sawmill setup.

 
This Perfection grain cleaner and seperator on display on the top floor of the flour mill was manufactured locally in Topeka, Kan.

 
It wasn't running when I was there, but this 22 hp Fairbanks Morse (circa 1900) has been used in demonstrations at past shows. 

  
A McCormick-Deering WD9 powered the sawmill setup. 

Overall I had a lot of fun, and I enjoyed the chance to see some of the machines I’ve been reading about at work, as well as the opportunity to talk to a few of the area collectors. Given the easy drive and my love of fall festivals, I planning to attend the Meriden Thresher’s Assn.’s fall swap meet as well – maybe I’ll see a few of you there! 

I drive to most of the shows I attend, and this is one of the longer drives I make. More miles, and I usually jump on a plane.  First of all, when I go to a show, I like to be able to have room for items for all the weather choices, because, as you know, you can experience many different weather conditions even at one given show. But second, road trips are awesome! There is so much to see along the way, whether it’s a natural or historic landmark, a fun sightseeing place you’ve heard or read about, or just something you happen to see because you are at the right place at the right time.

I love the history part of it all. Driving on Highway 36 heading east through Missouri, for this show, for example, I discovered that the town of Marceline, MO was the boyhood home of Walt Disney. And, I drive through Hannibal, home of Mark Twain. On my treks on this route, these four black bear statues guarding someone’s place near Hannibal, always greet me, all decked out in whatever garb suits the time of year.

On different past trips, I’ve stopped to see the house in Eldon, Iowa, that Grant Wood painted in the American Gothic painting, John Wayne’s birthplace home in Winterset, Iowa, as well as the covered bridges of Madison County, in Iowa. I’ve had my picture taken in front of a giant Santa in Santa Claus, Indiana, eaten supper at a castle in Geneva, New York, after oohing and ahing over Niagara Falls, sat in a giant rocking chair in the Amana Colonies in Iowa and stood beside the world’s largest baseball bat in Louisville, Kentucky.  As they say, there’s a lot to see in your own back yard! I don’t really know who “they” are, but they say it

This trip was for the Eastern Ohio Two-Cylinder Expo in Springfield, Ohio. And I didn’t need my raincoat or boots for this one. “Hot and dry” was the phrase of the week, just like most of the country these days. This year’s features were standard tractors, Model H, 8020 Reunion and 110 Lawn & Garden tractors.

I visited with existing and new advertisers and collectors. I saw some nice John Deere tractors on display. This is a Model 101 EX, owned by Ron & Barb Koogler.

 Here is a nice wagon at Pete’s Woody Trucks booth.

Check out this small-scale Deere combine! This guy has some amazing ability!

The highlight of the show for me was when I actually got to drive this 1959 John Deere 8020, owned and restored by John Craig of Mentone, Indiana. (Brave man, letting me get behind the wheel!)

The homemade ice cream made in a freezer powered by a John Deere gas engine is always a big hit although you had to really step up your game to eat  it fast before it melted!

This show is held every other year in conjunction with the New York State Two Cylinder Expo in Canandaigua, which is held on the opposite years of the Ohio show. The 2013 show will be held in Canandaigua, New York, July 10-13.

See you down the road!

From the Private Collection of Racing Legend “The King” Richard Petty

WALWORTH, WI – May 16, 2012 – Mecum Auctions unveiled an iconic piece of Indy 500 history owned by racing legend “The King” Richard Petty during their auction at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana. The STP-sponsored Lotus Type 56/3 Turbine Indy racecar, driven by Graham Hill at the 1968 Indianapolis 500-Mile Race was revealed in a glass case and will remain on display all week before heading to auction during Mecum at Monterey, California in August.

For the 1968 Indy 500, STP boss Andy Granatelli commissioned Colin Chapman and Team Lotus to build four cars utilizing Pratt & Whitney turbine engines and Ferguson four-wheel drive systems. Chapman and his team developed the Lotus 56, which was the most technologically advanced racecar of its era. The popularity and attention that the Lotus Turbine cars received during the Indy 500 helped to turn STP into a household name, and solidified the synergy between racing and brand marketing. After the 1968 racing season concluded, chassis 56/3 made its way to First Brands (STP) corporate headquarters where it remained in their lobby until 1996, and was then acquired by Richard Petty, who owns the car to this day.

This will be the first time an original, authentic Lotus Type 56 has been offered for sale at public auction. The 1968 Lotus Type 56/3 Turbine Indy racecar driven by Graham Hill and owned by Richard Petty will cross the auction block Friday, August 17, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course. For complete auction information visit Mecum.com or call 262.275.5050.

Schedule:
Mecum at Monterey, The Daytime Auction
August 16-18, 2012
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa
On Del Monte Golf Course
One Old Golf Course Road
Monterey, Calif. 93940
Gates open daily at 8:00 a.m. Thursday thru Saturday
Auction will begin at 10:00 a.m. daily
Live on Velocity 12:00-6:00 p.m. Thursday thru Saturday
(All Times Pacific)

# # #

Immediate News Release:
Heartland Acres Agribition Center
2600 Swan Lake Blvd.
Independence, Iowa 50644
Ph 319 332 - 0123
Attn: Craig Johnson, Executive Director
craig@heartlandacresusa.com  

Heartland Acres Tractor Ride Returns in 2012 

 
Heartland Acres Plans June 9, 2012 Tractor Ride 

The Heartland Acres Tractor Ride is on again for 2012.  Mark your calendars for Saturday June 9, 2012.  The ride will start at 8:30a.m. from the Heartland Acres parking lot at 2600 Swan Lake Blvd, in Independence, Iowa.

Entry fee per tractor is $25. Entry forms for preregistration are available at Heartland  Acres admission office or by visiting our website at www.heartlandacresusa.com and are due by May 31, 2012.   

Tractor Rides in Iowa are one of the best ways to get out and show off your tractor and see the countryside at a slower pace. 

For more information about Heartland Acres please visit www.heartlandacresusa.com or call (319) 332.0123 or see Heartland Acres on Face book. Heartland Acres is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.   

 The 3rd Annual Mo-Kan & Lathrop Model Engine Show in Lathrop, Mo. is coming up on Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20, 2012. Put on by the Mo-Kan Antique Power Association and Lathrop Antique Cat, Tractor & Engine Club, the show will begine at 7:00 a.m. Saturday at the Lathrop Antique Showgrounds off Highway 33, 30 miles north of Kansas City, MO. All models are welcome.

For more information:
www.mokanengines.com  

Jim Plowman 816-528-3511 
Mel Ramseier 913-980-2192
Showgrounds 816-528-3000

Generations of Power: a good theme name to describe the tractors, equipment and even the people who gathered at the 7th Gathering of the Green in Davenport, Iowa.

March 14-17, 2012, marked the most recent Gathering, with John Deere enthusiasts who traveled from all parts of the U.S., Canada and places around the world to be a part of this special conference. Held at the RiverCenter in Davenport, the Gathering has become the foremost convention-style conference dedicated to antique John Deere tractors & equipment. 

 This year’s theme focused on the 100th year anniversary of John Deere becoming a full-line company. The four sponsoring John Deere antique tractor clubs - Deer Valley Collectors, Illinois Valley, North Eastern Illinois and Northwest Illinois - joined forces with their time and talents to make this another memorable event. These volunteers set up beautiful displays throughout the RiverCenter that reflect the many aspects of the 100 year evolution of the modern John Deere Company from 1912-2012. There were re-created dealerships and factory displays from that time period along with a replica workshop.

A gaggle of green guys from the New York State Two Cylinder Expo Assn., having a good time. 

As part of this conference there were many workshops, speakers and tours that everyone could participate in, as well as vendors set up through the conference for attendees to visit and patronize. So much to learn, so much to see and do!

To read more about the Gathering of the Green, read the article in the March 2012 Farm Collector issue, pages 32-33!

This show runs every other year, and I know a lot of people who are looking forward to the next one in 2014, including me!

See you down the road! 

 This was a brand new show for us at Ogden Publications. My colleague Sheila and I went to the Expo with high hopes of introducing our magazines to companies who maybe hadn’t considered us yet. We weren’t disappointed. By the survey results we had, we let them know stats like how Mother Earth News is ranked #1 in canoes & kayaks owned and also in tents owned, along with other impressive comparisons. And how 74% of the Farm Collector readers own rifles, and 66.6% own fishing rods. And our GRIT editors have listened to our readers and  provided them with interesting articles on knives, fishing, hunting … Now that’s some serious ammo to bring to a fishing/hunting/outdoor show! (Pun intended!)

The Expo was presented by Stihl and produced by the American Sportsfishing Assn. with a portion of the proceeds going to the “Keep America Fishing” initiative. www.KeepAmericaFishing.org.

We got to meet people from Daiwa, Shimano, Zebco/Quantum. Those are names I see on some of my fishing poles at home! These guys not only cater to the lake, pond and stream fisherman but also ocean fishing, which I’ve never had the pleasure of trying, …yet!
There were also several outfitters and guide services from all over the country, plus deer hunting equipment, bows, knives, guns and other outdoor gear.

Canoes & kayaks were another popular item and we even saw a boat that actually folds up to fit in your truck. It’s called Porta-Bote. You have to check this out, amazing! www.porta-bote.com.

Sheila and I had the pleasure of meeting Jody & Paige Mulder and Jordan with Buckmasters. You can go to www.buckmasters.com to see what’s new and also check out their upcoming show in Montgomery, Alabama on August 17-19.

Going to a show so far from Kansas, we had a lot of people in New York tell us we weren’t in Kansas anymore! But we never tired of hearing that New York accent remind us of that. New Yorkers are really friendly, don’t believe what you’ve heard!

To see more about the Expo, go to www.sportshows.com. 

See you down the road!

 According to the Press Release for the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky, the 2012 event was one of the most successful ever, with significant increases over the previous year in attendance and revenue. In the 4 days of the show in February, there were 305,512 visitors through the gates, which is the third highest total in the event’s history!

And as my colleagues from Ogden Publications made our way through the aisles, around shuffling boots and tapping yardsticks, we can attest to that!

There were over 850 exhibitors from all over the world in the 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space at the Kentucky Exposition Center during the show on February 15-18. According to the news release, the event generates a $21.5 million annual economic impact across the area. In conjunction with the National Farm Machinery Show, the 44th Championship Tractor Pull draws a huge crowd as well.   

Case IH donated a skid steer to support the national FFA Foundation and “Red Power” as it was duly named, was on display.

 It will be auctioned off later this year to benefit the FFA. It’s a Case Model SV250 skid steer with 82 gross engine horsepower. Its exclusive features include added dual chrome exhaust stacks, custom eight spoke pattern wheels with chrome center caps and lugs, tinted cab windows and a custom red leather seat, plus other cool features. It will also be on display at the Farm Progress, Husker Harvest Days and was at the Commodity Classics.

 
Now this little guy is starting really early for his love of green! 

And these kids get to see the place in style, in two hand-made tractor buggies! 

Come to Louisville for the next show February 13-16, 2013, and see the NFMS for yourself! Bring your walking shoes!

See you down the road!