Two-toned tractor a hay-catching sight

BY KIRK STARRAT

The Advertiser



Although a similar sculpture was burned by vandals 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 says.

Since they built the hay tractor a few weeks ago, Hennigar says 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.

“I think the agritourism sector in Greenwich is alive and well,� Hennigar says. 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 says it's an exciting time to get kids involved in agriculture who don't always have an opportunity to see it first-hand. Those involved in agritourism try to emphasize the fact 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 says vandalism such as this and to the pumpkin people in Kentville is not acceptable. If people are caught, he says a better deterrent is needed than a simple slap on the wrist.









pic: haytractorpic.jpg

Howard Shantz of Coldbrook was among the visitors who stopped to admire the hay tractor at Hennigar's Farm Market in Greenwich last week. He said the tractor is similar to one he drove while growing up on a Mennonite farm near Kitchener, Ontario.

K.Starrat



>Kirk Starratt

kstarrat@kentvilleadvertiser.ca



Although a similar sculpture was burned by vandals 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 says.

Since they built the hay tractor a few weeks ago, Hennigar says 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.

“I think the agritourism sector in Greenwich is alive and well,� Hennigar says. 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 says it's an exciting time to get kids involved in agriculture who don't always have an opportunity to see it first-hand. Those involved in agritourism try to emphasize the fact 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 says vandalism such as this and to the pumpkin people in Kentville is not acceptable. If people are caught, he says a better deterrent is needed than a simple slap on the wrist.