Press Release
November in northeast Iowa is anything but a place to settle in for the winter. Heartland Acres was busy hosting the Williams brothers, Robert and Randy, during their recent visit to Heartland Acres Agribition Center in Independence, IA.
Heartland Acres has been home of BIG BUD 747 “The Worlds Largest Agricultural Tractor” since the beginning of April and will continue to do so through 2010 with plans for additional viewings through 2011.
“Big Bud is an amazing piece of agricultural equipment. Boasting 1,100 horsepower and capable of moving the 130,000 pound tractor easily and quickly through the largest fields, this tractor is definitely a one of a kind,” stated Heartland Acres Board Member Eric Smith.
Smith, along with 25 other volunteers and staff where more than happy to answer questions for guests during a recent 3 day visit by the Williams brothers to Heartland Acres. Heartland Acres opened for business in May of 2007 and recently won an Iowa Tourism award for “Attraction of the Year 2010.”
Robert and Randy Williams, along with Randy’s wife Joleen and Robert’s daughter Lisa, made the trek to Independence, Iowa from their farm in Montana to help promote Big Bud 747 at Heartland Acres. They did double duty by also covering their Big Bud toy line at The 33rd Annual National Farm Toy Show held in Dyersville, IA which is a short drive east of Independence.
For the Williams family their lives revolve around their farming operations and their once in a lifetime encounter with the world’s largest tractor – BIG BUD. When they first purchased the tractor for use on their farming operations several years ago, they had no idea they would one day be using it as a display and promotional tool rather than it’s intended functional use as a highly efficient farm tractor.
Today, Big Bud remains housed in the machine shed at the Heartland Acres Agribition Center. Many other historic and modern pieces of agricultural equipment reside at the 16 acre campus all telling some portion of our rich and colorful agricultural history. Heartland Acres continues to seek out displays which will educate, entertain and excite our visitors.
This winter look for some fun and exciting programs taking place at Heartland Acres. Heartland Acres begins winter hours which means the Agricultural Museum will be closed on Mondays starting November 15, 2010. Access to Buchanan County Extension office will be available. Extension office hours are 8:00am – 12:30pm and 1:00pm – 4:30pm, Monday – Friday.
For more information about Heartland Acres please visit us at www.heartlandacresusa.com or call (319) 332.0123.
Heartland Acres Agribition Center is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization with an all volunteer Board of Directors. Heartland Acres operates on admissions, donations, grants, rental fees and gift shop sales to sustain ongoing operations. Heartland Acres preserves, protects, educates and entertains visitors with displays and activities which continue telling the story of our agricultural heritage. Heartland Acres is located at 2600 Swan Lake Blvd., Independence, IA 50644.
