Two Rural Schools Celebrate "Tractor Day"

Two Rural Schools Celebrate "Tractor Day" AG WORLD 26-2-21 On one day every year during FFA Week, vo-ag students at Atlantic High School, Atlantic, Iowa, roll into the school parking lot on an array of tractors. A similar event takes place at Worth County High School, Grant City, Missouri, about 80 miles southeast of Atlantic. Atlantic vo-ag teacher and FFA advisor Bruce Johnk says "Drive Your Tractor To School Day", as it's known in Atlantic, began in 1969. Its purpose is to call attention to the role of agriculture in the community. Doyle Bounds, Worth County vo-ag teacher, says he doesn't remember where the idea came from, but Tractor Day started in the late 1970's or early æ80's. FFA members wanted a way to help boost morale in the small, mostly agricultural community. In both schools, a portion of the high school parking lot is reserved so tractors can be prominently displayed for the day. This year, Atlantic students brought in 22 tractors, ranging from a JD 3010 to a JD 9200. Worth County students brought in 15 tractors, from a 1940s vintage JD B to a 1998 JD 7210. Thanks to Amy Garrett, Worth County, and Brian Michael Fager, Atlantic, for providing photos and information.

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