Antique power rangers still plowing the earth

PALMER — They say the older the better and they’re not talking wine or cheese; they’re talking old and quality tractors. This is what the Antique Power Club of Alaska said on Friday while they disced and chopped fifteen hard acres of an original colony farm.

Antique Power Club members from Southcentral Alaska assembled on an old original Colony farm at 7:30 a.m., ready to start the farm plow day. The men wore their respective colors: Green for John Deere. Red for Farmall. Orange for Allis Chalmers. And Yellowgold for Minneapolis Moline. There is both rivaly and loyalty to these tried and true brands. Seven different old tractors made up the armada.

At 9:30 a.m. the gentleman were instructed to start their engines. Out in front of them were fifteen rough acres of land, which although worked yearly, had not been plowed in 30 years. It was tough and root ridden.

The convergence of farm tractors and implements dug into the dirt and immediately made tracks by revealing thick blocky ridges of rich and fertile soil. According to an overall plan, each tractor took off in a different direction

Jim Moberly of Wasilla sat tall on his Minneapolis Moline 1956 tractor. He says he doesn’t have a farm but he loves to get back to it. Plow days are a throwback to some of his best memories.

At the treeline rear of one small field, towards the back 30, Antique Power President Richard Greeno leaned on his 54 tractor. Sadly his tractor had stopped…..although Greeno claimed it was just resting. Apparently a small carbeurator valve had vibrated loose and was plowed under.

Jim Fenton had the big green 1960 John Deere 830 with the 6 bottom plow. This was the flagship tractor and it dug a swath 8 foot wide. He likes the big plow and says “If I don’t break down, it’s a good day. “

These historic farm fields, near the hospital, have been worked since the Church family settled on the land in 1935. John and Julia Church were colonists from Wisconsin;. Grandson David Church bought the farm in 1995 and runs it now. In addition to hay, he and his wife operate Moonstone Farm which produces large amounts of organic vegtables and peonies.

Church is grateful for the help of the Antique Power Club but even more grateful for the opportunity to talk with the men. “These are some really good guys with so much history.” As Church grilled moose burgers for the group’s lunch, he smiled and looked out at the fields. “They accomplished more in four hours than I could have done in four days.”

Mike Kerr, from Anchorage, drove the John Deere talks about the smell of the sod. It’s rich and delicious. More than a foot’s depth of soil has been overturned and the scent reminds everyone of farm or garden memories. “

Bob Thom from Palmer says, “I’m going to share the gospel truth about farming.” He tips his hat, festooned with Antique Power Club buttons, and begins a long story about the grain screenings, invasive species, and horse pellets. He knows what he is talking about. Thom has been involved in Alaska agriculture for more than 45 years. including stints as a feed store owner, Pt. Mac farmer, and giant radish grower. He says, “There’s kind of a knack to plowing. But really we’re just a bunch of good old boys having fun.”

Curtis Rustad drives a John Deere A and a John Deere B.. Although he is from Anchorage he stores his tractors at the Wasilla Alaska Transportation Museum. He too enjoys the plow day.

Dick Sloane was driving the International 1953 Super C and he is the Safety Director for the club.

President Richard Greeno says the club looks for projects every year. “We like to get out and test our equipment. We like to see functional projects that proves these old historic tractors can still work.”