by Mari Radtke
Sutherland’s Annual Labor-Day Antique Tractor Excursion returned this year. Nineteen tractors made the 40 mile trek through scenic O’Brien, Clay, Cherokee and Buena Vista Counties. The group paraded through hills and valleys, one tractor pulling a wagon just for riders. They began wandered the off-roads of the scenic byway starting at noon, stopping for a snack of Mockingbird Farms kettle corn in Linn Grove, near the old dam. From there they found their way to Peterson and ventured through the hills back to Sutherland. Each rider had their picture taken on their tractor which was printed on a magnet for them.
A lunch was served before leaving. They arrived back to Sutherland around 4 pm.
Kyle Puhrmann, a member of the South O’Brien FFA Foundation organized the event and recruited senior FFA members to help. He is looking forward to future years with some expanded involvement from neighboring FFA organizations and volunteers. Kyle noted, “No one was rained on!” as the day threatened rain off and on.