Tractors take to the streets: Palmer hosts 9th annual ‘Drive Your Tractor to Work Day’

Farmers, tractor enthusiasts, and community members came out to show their support for the growing community during the ninth annual ‘Drive Your Tractor to Work’ parade, celebrating the agricultural heritage and showcasing the vital role of agriculture in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

Hosted by the Alaska Farmland Trust, the parade kicked off at the Alaska State Fairgrounds, with event creator Arthur Keyes leading the way. Tractors made their way through the heart of Palmer, making a quick stop at the Pioneer Veterans home, before finishing at the Palmer Pavilion.

Viewers of all ages lined the streets to watch tractors of different makes and models, some new, some vintage give a wave as they passed by. Kids excitedly waved at the drivers, while some sat atop parents’ shoulders to get a better view.

While some came out to watch the tractors in action, there were also people there supporting the farmland and the agricultural way of life.

“It’s tough in this day and age. It’s expensive and there’s so much hard work that goes into it, so I commend anyone that can actually do it,” said Rachael Gerard, a strong supporter of agriculture and farmers and was able to watch the parade for the first time, bringing her young son out to watch the parade

“A lot of people don’t get to do it, which is too bad,” she said, adding “I think we need more of it, because so much of what makes Palmer special is this.”

She worries about the future of agriculture here in the Borough as she reflected on farms being sold.

“So many times farms are being sold because it’s too hard to run…with Alaska, there’s so much open land that should not be bought up commercially. I hope it can continue, because that’s what makes us unique. We’ve got to fight for it.”

While kicking off the local growing season, the parade really aims to highlight the significance of farming in daily life and foster community pride in local agriculture.

“The more light we can shine on farmers and all they do for us, the richer we all are,” says Gerard.

Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries was on hand for the parade, echoing the appreciation for farmers and the agriculture community.

“Farming’s hard, with long hours and unusual weather, among other things, so it’s refreshing to see this,” she said of the crowd gathered to cheer on the tractors.

“Palmer, from the colonists on, have really been tied to agriculture, and from looking at the size of the crowd and the interest, from young to old, people realize the value and importance of what the farming community does for us.”

“Just seeing that these tractors are all active and are going to work after. People don’t think about how it’s such a part of who we are and how important the farmland we have is to everything,” said Ailis Vann, City of Palmer Parks and Facilities Manager, while looking to the future of agriculture in Palmer.

“It’s important to have an event like this because it’s such an. integral part of our history, and our present. With how many active farms there are here, and how many people are starting to farm, wanting to get into it, even on a small scale, I think it’s huge.

Following the parade, everyone was invited to mingle, stop by some of the vendors to learn more about agriculture, including the FFA program from Palmer High School who were helping promote youth in agriculture and showing the opportunities available in greenhouse classes, and offering a transplanting experience for those wanting to learn more about getting little starts into the ground, and in true Alaskan agriculture spirit, take home some spuds.

The event was sponsored by Erik Christensen - State Farm Insurance Agent and the Matanuska Electric Association, with support from the City of Palmer, the Alaska Division of Agriculture.

The Alaska Farmland Trust began in 2005 and has worked to protect over 370 acres of agriculture land to be dedicated as farmland.