GIFFORD, Ill. – At the Midwest Ag Expo, Jan. 22-23, at Gordyville USA, they were celebrating 30 years. With exhibitors from Conklin Agrovantage to Country Financial, the exhibit hall was filled. The I & I Historic Farm Days was on hand with a variety of old iron. Oliver seemed to be the largest brand present with Kenneth Kocher’s 1945 Oliver 70 one of the stars of the show. The green beauty was restored by Kocher and painted by his son at Kocher Custom Paint.

The reason that Oliver was the chosen brand at the Midwest Ag Expo was because it is the featured brand along with Cockshutt for the Historic Farm Days Show in Penfield, Ill., July 10-13. The show is on the I & I Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Club Grounds.

Members of the I & I Historic Days help put on the Half Century of Progress, Aug. 21-24, 2025, in Rantoul, Ill. Touted as the World’s Largest Working Vintage Farm Show, there are field demonstrations daily, a daily parade, and all brands of tractors are welcome. The theme of the show for the Half Century of Progress, according to Russell Buhr and show co-chair Derrick Harms, said is “Come Feel the Earth Move.”

This year Derrick Harms (son of the late Darius Harms) is taking John Frederickson’s spot as the co-chair. Frederickson’s many years of service to the Half Century is appreciated and his many contributions are manifold.

“This is because the CAT bulldozer is 100 years old.  It got started in 1925 after taking over the Holt and Best companies,” Buhr said about the earth move in theme.

On the Caterpillar website, they share a bit of the company history. “In the late 19th century, inventors Benjamin Holt and C.L. Best each envisioned better ways to do the work. Separately, they introduced steam- and gasoline-powered equipment that could work longer and faster than machines pulled by horses. In 1925, they combined their strengths and businesses to form the Caterpillar Tractor Company – starting with just five models geared toward the agriculture industry…”

Besides the Cat anniversary, Harms pointed out that part of the logo for “Come Feel the Earth Move” includes the Versatile with a plow. “Everyone brings plows, and the earth moves along with the modified tractor pull with a sled, that is how we came up with the theme.”

Buhr added, “Doug Nelson from the state of Washington came up with the image.” He said Nelson does the cartoons for Sherry Schaffer’s Heritage Iron, and Oliver Heritage magazines. Another fun aspect at the Half Century 2025 is celebrating the 1206 International. Allis Chalmers will display the 200 series, the 200, 210 and 220. Along with all these cool ideas, conversion tractors and doodlebugs are also gathering at the show.

There is also going to be a Can-Am off road drive at the Half Century on the grounds. Can-Am celebrated 50 years in 2023. The first Can-Am vehicle was introduced in 1973. The Big Flag that hails from Gastonia, N.C., is returning to the show along with the Tractor Pulling Hall of Fame.

The Half Century would not be possible without all the volunteers and sponsors. “We appreciate all the sponsors from the Big Flag on up to Beck, the Premier sponsor,” Buhr added.

Another group that supports old iron, the Friends of Green, was at the Midwest Ag Expo, raffling off a rare Buck ATV which will be given away at the Half Century at noon Aug. 24. “They were made from 2005 and 2006 for two years,” Ed Winkleman, of the Friends of Green, said. “It is a 500 cc, and this one only has 112 hours. They were made by Can-Am for John Deere.”

The children’s farm magazine Little Green was in a new area, the women in Ag area of the exhibit hall.  Published six times a year, the publication is for young tractor fans and farm enthusiasts. The magazine was started by Green Magazine, and a couple years ago was taken over by Triple H Tractor LLC.

Thirty years of sharing farm vendors, ag products, and old iron at Gordyville USA. The Midwest Ag Expo continues to bring in farmers and farm families from around the Midwest to celebrate farm education and the agricultural community.