By Angel Perkins News-Mirror Editor
Indianapolis is the place to see vehicles traveling in succession but one motorcade had some spectators shaking their heads. A drive of an original kind was taken on March 31 when the first Indiana Future Farmers of America (FFA) Tractor Drive took a parade of tractors through the streets of downtown Indianapolis and through adjoining areas.
Beginning at the state fairgrounds, about 14 drivers took more than four hours to travel the 40 miles to the Indiana FFA Leadership Center in Trafalgar. Weather conditions might have deterred, or at least detoured, some young people, but not the hearty group of young farmers involved in the event that was designed to raise awareness of agriculture and to generate funds to support the nearly 200 FFA programs in the state.

The group traveled around the famous monument at center circle steering tractors (mostly antique), and were welcomed by onlookers along their route. When they reached their destination in Franklin they were served lunch at the local Tractor Supply Store and an evening meal was provided along with an organization meeting.
Lance George, a three-year member of the FFA in Bourbon, participated in the inaugural event. He is a junior at Triton Jr. Sr. High School and is also involved in the NHS, Science Club and is a 9-year, 4-H member.
George attended First Church of God in Nappanee and was involved in basketball, football and golf until an injury prevented him from doing so. In the parade of tractors he drove an antique Farmall M tractor belonging to Kenny Klotz, the school custodian, who is a supporter of the local FFA and 4-H programs.
George said his reason for joining the organization was a simple one. “FFA is about the only club at school that I can actually relate to because we live on a farm and always have and it is just my way of life,” he said. “I guess I just like that we do things that other groups don't, such as our numerous cookouts and we have big fundraisers such as our county consignment auction - not candy sales and stuff.”
Farm life in general is something he is very familiar with as George’s family farm has three horses, two beef steers, a beef heifer and cats. And when he isn’t doing something involving farming, school or church, he’s at work. “I work at a little grocery store in Nappanee that a friend of ours manages (Rite Choice),” he said.
While the experiences he has had as an FFA member have been agreeable with him, George suggests that it is not one that all students would enjoy being involved in.
“I don't think that just anyone should join FFA,” he said. “I think if they have some way of relating to it they should, such as living on a farm or planning to have a farm when they get a place of their own - but not just to have another group to write down on a college resume.”
The tractor drive was the first of many to come and with nearly 10,000 members statewide (80 from Triton), next year will no doubt see an even bigger succession of tractors. “We raised $2,500 with the drive,” said Brian Buchanan, executive director of the Indiana FFA. “The idea was developed from one of our Indiana FFA Foundation Board members.”
    Lance George was asked to describe his experience along the route during the drive. “Driving through Indy was a quite a bit different,” he explained. “There were some people that looked at us that looked as though they had never seen a tractor in real life before and others that just stood their in amazement that some crazy ‘ol farm boys’ would be driving tractors through downtown Indy.”
The young man said he enjoyed the event, that “it was a lot of fun.” He added, “I guess you could say it was a once in a lifetime thing to do, driving a tractor with police escort through Indy.”