Pictured here are Clayton Vopelak and Sammie Krug, FFA members.

Every year, March 18th is recognized across the country as National Ag Day. Union high school celebrates this annually by having the “Drive Your Tractor to School Day” which is hosted by the FFA organization at the school.

This event has been a tradition at Union for several years. It is encouraged and supported by several people in the school, and community to help educate, and raise awareness about farming and the country way of life. Which we all know that is what this area of Iowa, and well most of Iowa, is all about.

The event is known to bring curious visitors such as parents, friends, or just local residents by to come and see it for themselves. It’s not everyday that you see a long line up of very large tractors sitting in front of the high-school. Several people stop by and take pictures through-out the day to remember this fun event.

When I stopped by the school for pictures I was able to speak with a few of the FFA members. Who just so happened to drive their families tractors to school that day.

Sammie Krug who is a Junior this year at Union was proud to tell me about the Alice Chambers she drove to school that morning. Sammie grew up on a farm just south of LaPorte, along with her parents and three older sisters. Sammie isn’t the first girl in her family to drive a tractor to school, she stated that all of her sisters have participated in the event or FFA at some point.

Sammie has been involved in the FFA her entire high school career and getting to drive her tractor to school, along with showing animals at the fair are among her favorite activities to participate in. I asked Sammie what it felt like to drive something so large, and intimidating through town and just pull up and park it at school and climb on out like a normal day. She stated, “Powerful” and I couldn’t have put it more perfectly.

Clayton Vopleak who is also a junior at Union drove his family’s Ford tractor that day. Clayton has been in the FFA for several years and loves being a part of the organization. One of his favorite activities to participate in is all of the contests, including one he’s taken home prizes in, Soil Judging.

This is a great tradition for our community and our children. Hopefully it continues for many years to come and continues to spread excitment and education about farming to everyone!