Wednesday, April 9, 2008 6:10 PM CDT
Students putting new life into 1949 Farmall H tractor
By DAVE FOPAY, Staff Writer
dfopay@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON — Justin Thomas says some of his classmates are surprised about how different a nearly 60-year-old tractor is from farm equipment used today.
But the work the Charleston High School students are doing to restore the 1949 Farmall H tractor is supposed to be a learning experience, and should also help the school’s FFA chapter, Thomas said.
“It will bring more notice to the chapter, get us noticed for doing things,” he said.
The CHS sophomore is leading the project to restore the tractor. Once the work’s done, the FFA chapter’s going to enter it in parades and shows and later raffle it off to raise money for another, larger restoration project.
Thomas said his family restores antique tractors, and his dad was looking for one to use in tractor pulls and “it kind of grew from there.” Jeff Shrader donated the tractor, which Thomas said needed a new motor and clutch, but otherwise was in pretty good shape.
About 16 students, most of them FFA members along with some in agriculture classes, are working on the tractor, and the project will include painting it, replacing the tires and other work “to make it like it was from the factory,” Thomas said.
Thomas is also the FFA chapter historian, which means he helps members learn about and preserve “agricultural heritage.” He said he likes the idea that the students are working on a piece of equipment “that our grandfathers used.”
CHS ag teacher and FFA sponsor Julie Niemerg said she told Thomas that there wouldn’t be enough time to do the project, but after he persisted, she agreed as long as he was willing to run it. That ended up being one of the biggest benefits of the project for the students, she explained, as they’re asking her for help instead of her asking students to do the work.
“The best part is the kids are really taking charge of it,” Niemerg said. “They’re motivated and want to see it through.”
The goal is to have the tractor ready in time for the students to enter it in Fourth of July parades, and then have it at other parades and events such as the Coles County Fair, Bagelfest and antique tractor shows. Raffle tickets for a chance to win the tractor will be on sale from June until the CHS annual Red Gold Barbecue, and the winning ticket will be drawn during that weekend’s football game.
Thomas has already arranged for the school to receive a bigger tractor that’s been through a fire for a larger, more difficult restoration project next year, and the money raised with the raffle will go to that project.
The current project, which will cost about $2,500, has received help from several people who gave time to help with the work or donated parts or money. Donations are still being accepted and checks written to the Charleston FFA chapter can be sent to 4403 Hutton Road, Charleston, 61920.
Contact Dave Fopay at dfopay@jg-tc.com or 348-5733.
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