Each year, the FFA members of Carrollton High School in Missouri get an extra taste of freedom and celebration while driving their tractors to school. Days that encourage driving your tractor to school are an ag uplifting holiday celebrated by high school students across rural America. Some schools choose to celebrate during National FFA Week, while others celebrate in the fall after harvest.
Carrollton’s chapter dedicates an entire week to celebrating FFA, kicking off their FFA Spirit Week with a barn-warming meal and game night during which the Barn Warming King and Queen are crowned.
Then, it’s no bars held back as tractors begin to line one of the school’s lower parking lots. While John Deere green is one of the more prominent colors on this favorite school holiday, the lot also is lined with Case, Ford, and even an antique International.
Carrollton’s advisor, Jeremy Dodds said, “We have been doing this once a year for as long as I can remember. We were doing it when I graduated in the ’90s, and I remember it being done before I was old enough.”
No tractor? No problem. One student got creative and drove his riding lawnmower into town.
While the students enjoy the opportunity to taste some freedom, and show off their operating skills, it’s an activity that’s positive for the school and community.
“It’s a fun activity that the students like a lot and it’s good for the town kids to see. [The town] is very supportive. The parents of the students who drive tractors are also very supportive,” said Dodds.
We couldn’t pick just one to show off, so here’s a showing of the machinery and students in the limelight of Drive your Tractor to School Day.
