LITCHFIELD, Ill. – On March 8, farmers and residents of Montgomery County, Ill., brought tires to be reclaimed to a site in Litchfield. Farm Bureau members could bring a total of 10 tractor tires, 18 semi tires, and 20 passenger tires. 

The cost was 16 cents a pound, and trailers (or pickups) were weighed full, then weighed empty to determine the cost.

The tire collection was sponsored by the Montgomery County Farm Bureau Young Leaders. Kate Wilson, manager of the Montgomery County Farm Bureau, said, “The Young Leaders hosted a successful Tire Drive in Litchfield. The tires were collected at the M&M Service Company Grain Elevator and will be hauled away and recycled by Earth Services of Benton, Ill. A majority of the tires they recycle are used as TDF, which is an alternative energy source to coal, oil and natural gas.”

A lot of tires were collected over the 8 a.m.-noon collection window. Wilson said, “Approximately 30 tons of tires were collected.”

The Montgomery County Farm Bureau members learned about the event through direct mailing postcards to farmer members, email, announcements on WSMI Radio, and on Facebook,

With stringent rules for the removal of tires, this has become a popular annual event. Wilson said, “This was the second collection hosted by the committee, and they plan to host another event in 2027.”