A Classic Anniversary

There's a popular bumper sticker in farm country that proclaims: "A boy never forgets the first girl he kissed and the first tractor he drove." John Harvey admits memories of adolescent amour are a bit foggy, but not his first time on a tractor seat.

"I remember it well," says Harvey, who grew up on a northwest Missouri farm and had a successful career in ag communications. "It was a John Deere L -- a tiny thing. Riding lawn mowers today have as much or more horsepower. But sitting on my uncle's lap while gripping the steering wheel was a thrill for a five-year-old boy."

Harvey parlayed that nostalgic memory to create the Classic Farm Tractors calendar. It first appeared in 1990 as a promotional tool to help launch the new DuPont soybean herbicide Classic. Later, it became the flagship of his thriving entrepreneurial business. (Full disclosure: John Harvey is my uncle and influenced me to study ag journalism.)

CLASSIC IDEA

On the eve of its silver anniversary (2014 edition), the calendar is still making memories. "I didn't know if it would be around 25 minutes, let alone 25 years," maintains Harvey. And he was right.

The original calendar proposal called for classic cars. But Harvey, who was then public relations manager at DuPont Ag Products, convinced the herbicide product manager vintage tractors were more farmer friendly.

The calendar was an instant hit. The first edition had a press run of more than 300,000. It sold out. "Part of its popularity was that it was the first tractor calendar to feature multiple brands," he points out. "It also highlighted information on the tractor owners."

When Harvey left DuPont in 1993, he maintained control of the calendar. He used it to launch his own company, Classic Tractor Fever. In addition to the calendar, Harvey sold nearly 75 products including playing cards, apparel, videos, tractor books and other tractor-theme items.

Twenty-five Classic Farm Tractors calendars later, Harvey still marvels at the passion people who collect and restore these vintage machines have. "Tractors were one of the marvels of the 20th century. They transformed agriculture. Tractors saved farmers a lot of work, and they were proud of them. It was a big event when people bought a tractor; it became a part of the family."

INTERNATIONAL INTEREST

There's no official tally on the number of antique tractor collectors, but interest is global, points out Harvey, who led three tours to Europe to visit other vintage tractor enthusiasts. "The hobby continues to grow because it's a connection to the past, even for those who leave the farm to pursue other careers. I know antique tractor owners who are doctors and dentists," continues Harvey. "When they see a model that Dad or Grandpa owned, the memory resurfaces and you tell yourself you have to have it. So you buy it and restore it. And then you buy another and another. Before you know it you catch the fever!"

Harvey sold Classic Tractor Fever in 2011 but continues to produce the Classic Farm Tractors calendar. He says the calendar reflects the high esteem he holds for tractor collectors. "These people have a great sense of history, a great sense of family and a great sense of humor. They have an unpretentious goodness that comes naturally for someone who appreciates the past and strives to preserve it."

To order the commemorative 25th anniversary calendar, phone 1-800-888-8979 or visit www.ClassicTractors.com.

Classic Counts

-- 424 tractors and 84 brands have appeared on the calendar

-- 39 states, two Canadian provinces with at least one tractor represented on the calendar

-- 13 hp, John Deere L is the smallest tractor to appear on the calendar

-- 900 hp, Big Bud 16V-747 is the largest and, at $300,000, the most valuable tractor featured on the calendar

(BAS)

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