The Yesteryear’s Farm Tractor Club of Springfield Township represents a group of men keeping ties to the area’s agricultural past.
Last January, men from Springfield Township, Clarkston, Lapeer County and other surrounding areas came together to form the club.
‘We wanted a club that we could promote the interest of tractors for members and the public in a relaxed atmosphere,? club member Gary Wagner said.
Currently the group’s 23 members can bring together a collection of 50 to 60 tractors, all dating back before 1973. The club represents a trend of growing interest statewide in tractors.
‘Interest in tractors has grown a lot over the last few years. The prices are really growing too,? said Wagner.
Members have a wide age range and different reasons for interest in tractors, but all share an appreciation and passion for the machines.
‘My dad bought a tractor brand new in 1945. My family farmed for generations and I was raised on a farm. Some members haven’t been, but like tractors for other reasons,? Wagner said.
Wagner explained the amount of time put into a tractor varies from member to member and tractor to tractor. One particular John Deere B involved over $10,000 in restoration, while others simply needed small repairs or a coat of paint. Some members work on restoration, while others look to purchase tractors needing less initial maintenance.
In time, club members hope to add several types of events to the current monthly meeting schedule. The club expects to be in parades this summer, including Clarkston’s annual Fourth of July parade, and looks for any opportunity to participate in tractor shows.
According to Wagner, members are excited about repeating a Plow-a-Days event similar to the one completed in conjunction with the Oakland County Food Bank.
During a Plow-a-Days, members of the club offer their tractor services in charitable situations where the brute force of the machines may help an event. With the foodbank, members used the tractors to prepare land for crops later harvested for those in need.
‘We do anything we can use our tractors on to make work more efficient. We plowed the land, worked it up and they planted the food for the needy,? President Ron Pethick said.
The Yesteryear’s Farm Tractor Club meets on the first Saturday of each month, often at Vice President Mark Austin’s home on Kier Road. Meetings open with a grilled meal and then turn to discussion of club events and tractors. Ownership of a tractor is not mandatory.
For more information, call President Ron Pethick at 810-348-4160 or email Gary Wagner at rengawla@aol.com.