Local News

Updated: Friday, February 24, 2006 7:26 AM CST

Out for attention: Mount Pulaski High School tractor drive busts stereotypes, promotes ag careers

By JASON LEE - For the Herald & Review

 

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MOUNT PULASKI - Students at Mount Pulaski High School may have thought an army of farmers was invading the campus Thursday morning.

A convoy of 10 roaring tractors circled the school several times, but no one was in danger.

The school allowed students to drive their tractors to class as part of National FFA Organization Week, which is Feb 18 to 25.

"Each year, it's a little bit of mayhem," said 16-year-old Isaac Blue, president of the school's FFA chapter. "We try to be as careful as possible. We don't want to hurt anyone, but we do want to get their attention."

They succeeded. Students watched with intrigue as the mammoth beasts roared into the parking lot one by one, Blue said.

But giant wheels and loud engines are just half the idea.

National FFA Week also helps students overcome the stereotypes of farmers, as sometimes portrayed on television by shows such as "Hee Haw."

"People will call you a hick, or whatever," Blue said. "What we're trying to do is break down those barriers and show people what we do."

Herald & Review/Lyndsie Schlink Mt. Pulaski FFA member and junior Andrew Neaville leaves school Thursday driving a 1937 John Deere Model B tractor, he drove as part of 'drive your tractor to school day' as part of FFA Week Festivities. Neaville and seven other students drove various makes and models of tractors to school on Thursday. Click Here to purchase a reprint of this photo

FFA is a national youth organization of 490,017 students preparing for careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. Mount Pulaski has about 100 agriculture students and 63 FFA members, said Amy Chernowsky, who teaches several agriculture courses and oversees the local FFA chapter.

This week, students will also take part in a variety of agricultural workshops, from learning how milk is made to properly raising chickens. Other planned activities include wheelbarrow races and a petting zoo for local grade school students, she said.

"All the kids are very energetic this week because they love to do hands-on things," Chernowsky said. "It really shows all the students that there's so much that goes into agricultural studies."

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one out of every five Americans is employed in the food, fiber and natural resources industries of agriculture.

One of those future farmers is 17-year-old Brent Gieseke, whose John Deere 8320 was the biggest tractor of the bunch.

"It's pretty cool to ride next to those little cars," Davis said. "You feel pretty big."

What was usually a 10-minute car ride to school turned into a 45-minute expedition. Gieseke's tractor only travels about 15 mph.

"I got an early start, and luckily it's heated," he said.

Not so lucky was 17-year-old Andrew Neaville, whose 1937 John Deere Model B was nestled among the row of growling giants after school. While rust has covered much of the tractor's traditional green finish, the machine still runs like a champ, Neaville said.

"Everyone brings their biggest tractors, so I thought why not bring a little one," he said while pulling a crank to start the engine. "Unfortunately, there's no electric start."

Jason Lee can be reached at hrnews@herald-review.com.
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