Photos and story by Don Steen
Early morning motorists may have seen a fair few more tractors and farm vehicles on the road than normal last week, stranger still with their drivers all being students. Both local high schools observed Drive Your Tractor to School Day as part of National Future Farmers of America Week. Heritage Hills students ventured out amidst pouring rain on Tuesday and their fellows in South Spencer endured freezing temperatures in the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday.
To compensate for the slower speed, and avoid traffic, participating students had to get an early start on the day to make it on time. Of course, early days and inclement weather are nothing new for the children of a farming family.
The tractors came in all makes and models. Some of them were more modern and offered at least some protection from the cold and rain. Others left the driver to rely on warm clothing for protection. Nevertheless, those older models have stayed true to their families for generations and proved more than capable of conducting Spencer County’s future farmers safely to school.
Both county high schools boast a large number of students involved in Future Farmers of America. Programs, competitions and other activities help instill the skills and lessons necessary to excel in modern agriculture. The FFA also offers plenty of opportunities to show off generations’ worth of family history, and some rather impressive and faithful farm equipment as well.
