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

Heartland Acres Agribiton Center announces the arrival of the rare and historically significant 1944 WWII Case SI “Airborne” Tractor. The display joins a line-up of agricultural displays, ranging from the early 1800s to present day.

WWII U.S. military supremacy was aided by agricultural manufactures during one of the largest military build-ups of the day. U.S. military equipment specifications called for heavy duty use, quick and easy transportation and simple serviceability. The CASE SI met these specifications.

Seen in the picture is the U.S. Army invasion star shown on the CASE SI “Airborne” tractor at Heartland Acres. 

The Case SI “Airborne” was a standard tractor with special added features to meet combat needs. Hooks for tie-downs in gliders as well as C-47 transport aircraft were added. The bucket of the SI was built to clear hedgerows and other obstacles. A pan was built underneath the driver seat to allow for ballast. During transport the pan was left empty, but once on site was filled with sand, gravel, or any available material to aid in keeping the tractor stable during operation. When transportation was needed again a hinged door on the bottom of the pan was opened to allow the ballast materials out to reduce transportation weight.

As part of the military display at Heartland Acres visitors will also see a British BSA W-M20 military motorcycle on loan from the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa. The Case SI “Airborne” Tractor is on loan from Ken Cerra from Indianapolis, Indiana. Additional exhibits include an ammo belt manufactured by Hinson Manufacturing from Waterloo, Iowa and a M1 Garand rifle built by International Harvester as well as other interesting military items.

See these and many other fascinating displays, hands on activities and the ongoing and ever changing story of our agricultural heritage at Heartland Acres in Independence, Iowa. 

For more information about Heartland Acres please visit heartlandacresusa.com or call (319) 332.0123.
Heartland Acres Agribiton Center is a 501 (c) (3) non- profit organization.

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

KGLO 1300 Tractor Ride comes to Heartland Acres in Independence 

Heartland Acres Agribiton Center along with KGLO AM 1300 welcomes tractor riders to Northeast Iowa for the 11^th Annual KGLO Tractor Ride. Dates are July 23 through July 25, with rider registration on Sunday, July 22. 

Each day, the ride starts and ends in Oelwein.  The tractor ride comes to Independence Tuesday, July 24 and will also travel to Fairbank, Amish Country, and Stanley. 

The riders will be having lunch at Heartland Acres Event Center.  The public is encouraged to stop out to Heartland Acres and see the 150 or so antique tractors which will be parked next to the Heartland campus from roughly 11AM to 1PM.    

Heartland Acres will have their newest display which is a very rare and authentic 1944 WWII Case SI “Airborne” tractor.  These tractors were airdropped behind enemy lines and used by Allied troops to clear hedge rows during D-Day.   Admission is required for entry to the museum.   

KGLO appreciates the support and cooperation of the community, local officials, engineers, and businesses, as well as city, county, and state law enforcement.   

For more information on the KGLO tractor ride, visit www.DiscoverNorthIowa.com or call KGLO at 641-423-1300.

For more information about Heartland Acres please visit heartlandacresusa.com or call (319) 332.0123.

Heartland Acres Agribiton Center is a 501 (c) (3) non- profit organization.  

 Eric Wittel, Kalendae Communications
eric@KalendaeCommunications.com 

John Harvey’s Classic Farm Tractors Calendar Showcases Bevy of Beauties:
2013 Collectors Edition is the 24th in the series

Another blue-ribbon line-up of beautifully-restored 20th century farm tractors is featured on the new 2013 Classic Farm Tractors Calendar – the original calendar spotlighting a variety of brands of vintage tractors from across America. 2013 marks the 24th edition of the series: the first issue was launched in 1990 by DuPont Ag Products to promote a new soybean herbicide named “Classic.”

“It was an instant success,” says John Harvey, DuPont public relations manager at the time, who created and continues to publish the calendar. “There are dozens of copy-cat calendars now, but this one wins the prize for being first,” he points out. Harvey has already begun working on the 2014 calendar which will celebrate the 25th anniversary and has some exciting plans for additional commemoratives in the works.

Antique tractors from seven states – Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania – are represented and include popular brands like John Deere. Massey Ferguson, Farmall, Oliver, Minneapolis-Moline, Allis-Chalmers and Ford. Also featured are a rare, seldom-seen 1948 Empire 88, and a pair of Rumley Oil-Pull tractors from the turn of the century.

Again this year, Classic Tractor Fever has produced an 80-minute DVD titled “Better Than New”, which will debut on RFD television network later this fall, and features the tractors from the calendar in action along with in-depth interviews with their owners. Every family member will get a kick out of this educational and entertaining video.

The 2013 calendar and accompanying DVD are available by calling Classic Tractor Fever at (800)-888-8979, or ordered online by visiting the website www.ClassicTractors.com.

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