41st annual show is Saturday
Visitors to the upcoming Prairie Central FFA Farm and Home Show in Forrest can purchase tickets for a chance to win a restored 1948 Farmall H tractor donated by Corrie Antiques of Chenoa.
The 41st annual Farm and Home Show is set for Saturday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Prairie Central Upper Elementary gymnasium, sponsored by the FFA chapter and alumni affiliate.
Ag students have completely restored the Farmall with help from Ben Meister on the paint. Meister allows students to come to his shop for the work which helps them gain knowledge on the restoration process.
“We actually had to get a brand new generator for it,” explained Prairie Central FFA chapter reporter Kenna Skaggs. “Wiring wise, we did have to change a few things.”
During the first 18 weeks of school, around a dozen students helped with most of the work while another class came in later in the year to finish the project.
“Mr. (Kyle) Miller spends many hours doing this on his own, trying to find specific parts and talking to different people on where he can get them,” notes Skaggs.
The chapter initially started restoring a D-17 Allis Chalmers tractor but the plans changed.
“We sent the engine off and they told us it was going to be too expensive and couldn’t guarantee the parts to fix the engine, so Mr. Miller our ag advisor had to make the hard decision to start all over again,” added Skaggs.
Those not able to make it to Saturday’s Farm and Home Show in Forrest can reach out to the chapter through Facebook or contact an FFA member to purchase raffle tickets.
Free admission is offered at the Farm and Home Show with a pork burger lunch served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Carry-outs will be available. More than 30 different businesses will be featured at the show.
“There will be booths and different companies there,” said Prairie Central FFA chapter president Andrew Slagel. “You can browse the area and talk to the local businesses.”
March 17 is the date for the upcoming Prairie Central FFA Hog Roast and Auction at the high school in Fairbury which is win the tractor raffle winner will be announced. FFA members have been busy getting auction items prepared and collecting donations.
“Without (the auction), we would not have a chapter. This money we raise in the auction allows us to take kids to nationals and give them an experience,” said Skaggs.
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