Penfield to be invaded by green

(100 years of the John Deere D will be celebrated in Penfield)

PENFIELD, Illinois – This weekend’s Historic Farm Days celebration at Penfield is celebrating three milestones.

It is the 100th anniversary of the John Deere D, the 60th anniversary of the 110 and the 50th anniversary of the popular 4430 tractor.

Ed Winkleman will have his John Deere collection on display. He had 19 in his collection at one time and has been downsizing to the smaller machines.

“I’m down to about 10 right now so we’ll have all of them at Penfield and all of the mowers as well,” Winkleman told The Central Illinois Farm Network.

Winkleman grew up around the Deere brand.

“I’ve been on a John Deere since I was knee-high to a grasshopper,” he chuckled.

While attending a classic green show in Tennessee a few weeks ago, Winkleman observed 70 model D’s so he is hoping for more than that at Penfield this week. The goal is 100.

Historic Farm Days will raffle a John Deere D and 110 with the winner announced at 2 p.m. Sunday. The event runs Thursday (July 13) through Sunday (July 16).