By PAUL WALLEM

 When I first considered this column, I wondered if enough examples could be found. After reaching out to FFA National and various collector clubs, I was told about far more tractor projects than I have space to talk about. They are occurring all over the country.

At the same time an award-winning chapter with entirely different projects came to my attention, unrelated to tractors. They will be described later in this column.

At this year’s Pennsylvania Farm Show, four FFA chapters from throughout the state not only displayed their finished tractors but also showed videos of the entire process they went through. 

Another good example comes from Carlyle High School FFA chapter in Carlyle, Ill. They purchased a well-used Farmall 300 and started by completely disassembling the tractor. A full engine overhaul was the first priority. Next came a TA rebuild, then new seals on the axles and PTO. Steering required a rebuild. Finally, the hydraulics were torn down and new O-rings were installed. Next came removal of dents, sanding and repainting.

After all the disassembly, repairing, assembly and painting, the tractor started on the first try. In the attached photo you can see the smiles and the pride of all that worked on the project.

Many state FFA chapters have restorations underway. I asked FFA National how many were currently going on in Indiana, this newspaper’s home base. Here are some examples:

- Northwood High School, Nappanee. Grace Allen advised that their chapter

has a 1965 Massey Ferguson project in its second year of restoration.

- Matt Dice, Whitko High School at South Whitley, emailed that the chapter he oversees will start rebuilding a WD45 Allis this fall, with the goal to finish by the end of the school year.

Other Indiana chapters with current projects are Delphi, Jay County, Cody Linville, Rossville and Bremen.

There are a lot of girls involved in FFA. One example is Katie Smith, South High School FFA in Shelby, Iowa. She took on restoration of a Farmall Super C, which was a Christmas gift. Her ag teacher said the project was the school’s first FFA tractor project. Smith did a two-year top to bottom rebuild. After completion, she won a blue ribbon at the Shelby County Fair and went on to win reserve grand champion at the Missouri State Fair.

Streator High School FFA wins awards

This Illinois FFA chapter does not restore tractors, but wins awards for entirely different reasons. They were named 2022 Illinois Association FFA Premier Chapter, the highest state honor a chapter can receive. Then in August, they were named one of 10 national finalists for the FFA Model of Excellence designation. They competed with 8,817 nationwide chapters.

The Streator FFA chapter was also named a three-star program, the highest ranking a chapter can receive from the National FFA Organization. Riley Hintzsche has been their advisor and the school’s Vo-Ag teacher for the past eight years. Sidney Long joined him as assistant for 2022. For the past five years the chapter has cared for two brood sows in a small greenhouse attached to the high school. Chapter members provide care and feeding, and 20 piglets were born in 2022. Facebook coverage provides updates and Riley estimates that almost 1,000 students have 

witnessed the project. Many have seen a pig for the first time.

On a plot near the high school, the Streator Chapter also maintains a garden, manned by 65

members. Lastly, the chapter and four other chapters prepared a box containing information on chapter projects and mailed them to state legislators to support agriculture programs in Illinois high schools.

The awards this chapter received this year prompted me to visit them and talk to the chapter officers and advisors. I had another reason. I was a member of this same FFA chapter many years ago. I had not been back to my old high school since. I am proud of their accomplishments.

Skills like budget and resource management all come into play during FFA projects. A lot of YouTube videos display the work involved, and FFA members often say their involvement helped prepare them for future careers.

FFA advisors play a big part in these success stories. Their motivation spurs a chapter to take on a project and see it through. In virtually all award events, students credit their advisors with teaching teamwork, cost analysis and many other skills needed to complete a project.

Paul Wallem was raised on a dairy farm. He spent 13 years with corporate IH on domestic and foreign assignments. He resigned to own and operate two IH dealerships. He is the author of THE BREAKUP of IH and SUCCESSES & INDUSTRY FIRSTS of IH. See more of his books on the website PaulWallem.com.