Hay tractor draws visitors by the dozens

BY KIRK STARRATT

The Advertiser/NovaNewsNow.com



Although a similar sculpture was destroyed by fire in an act of vandalism last year, the hay tractor is back at Hennigar’s Farm Market in Greenwich, drawing visitors by the hundreds.

Doug Hennigar, one of the owners and operators of the farm market, said they built the tractor themselves using square hay bales for the body and large round ones for the wheels.

Last year they made a John Deere tractor, complete with the right shade of green paint. This year, they combined a John Deere and a Case tractor. The sculpture is green on one side and red on the other. “It’s reversible,� Hennigar said.

Since they built the hay tractor a few weeks ago, Hennigar said there have been hundreds of pictures taken by visitors. Everyone seems to enjoy it, and having an attraction like the sculpture puts a positive face on agriculture.

One visitor from Alberta recognized the model of tractor upon which the sculpture is based. Hennigar said monstrous tractors like the one portrayed are much more common in Alberta.

“I think the agritourism sector in Greenwich is alive and well,� he said. That’s demonstrated with five farm markets complementing the area. Hennigar said the farm market operators are doing something positive for the community and they’re drawing a lot of money into the county and creating employment.

Whether it’s a hay tractor, corn maze or U-pick pumpkin patch, Hennigar said it’s an exciting time to get kids involved in agriculture who don’t always have an opportunity to see it first-hand. The farm markets provide that outlet.

He said those involved in agritourism ventures try to emphasize the fact that it’s harvest time. Local produce is available for purchase and there’s none better in the world.

Although he doesn’t think anyone was ever brought to justice for torching the hay tractor last year, Hennigar said vandalism such as this and to the pumpkin people in Kentville is not acceptable. If people are caught, he said a better deterrent is needed than a simple slap on the wrist.

He said he was a little amazed last year that the hay tractor became more of a story after it burned than before, and it was a shock that someone would commit such a senseless act. “It’s not what you’d expect at 3 a.m. in the morning,� Hennigar said.

It’s thought that those responsible for torching the tractor last year could have been from outside the area. Hennigar speculates that perhaps those responsible didn’t appreciate the sculpture or perhaps burning it wouldn’t make a difference.