See How Grandpa Farmed
By John Parker Back when Grandpa or Great-Grandpa was farming the fields of this area, they had to do their work the hard way. But,…
By John Parker
Back when Grandpa or Great-Grandpa was farming the fields of this area, they had to do their work the hard way. But, it was the only way they knew because most of the modern, labor saving equipment used today had not yet been invented.
Since so much backbreaking labor was needed on farms of 75 or 100 years ago, farms had to be small by today’s standards. Horses were a main source of power and much hand labor was needed to get crops planted and harvested.
Many folks who now live in town grew up on a farm or have ancestors who were farmers. They have fond memories of what Grandpa’s farm was like or what faint reminders tell them it was like. Sometimes they may wish they could go back to those days, but they forget the hard work on Grandpa’s farm.
Now people have a good opportunity to see what it was like first hand when Grandpa was doing all that hard work. They can visit the Ashtabula County Antique Engine Show being held July 5-7 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the well-kept Antique Engine grounds down in Wayne in southern Ashtabula County.
Located on U.S. Route 322 a short distance east of Wayne Center, the show is easy to reach by local residents. Even if one lives in town, there is so much to learn at this show with all kinds of displays and events. One of the finest agricultural museums in the country is located here with displays that take visitors from the time Grandpa was hand planting and harvesting crops up to modern combines and other equipment.
The Agricultural Heritage Museum can take three or four hours to really look at the progression of farm equipment from the 1800s until today. Usually volunteer members of the Antique Engine Club are on hand to answer questions.
Pre-Depression tractors and engines will be featured. Displays of antique household equipment can be seen in another building. There is an operating sawmill, a shingle mill, old train stations, a schoolhouse, tractor pulls, good food and much more along with a big flea market.
Afternoon old-time live entertainment is scheduled. Plenty of food will be available with special dinners served every evening starting at 4 p.m.
Cost is minimal to attend and it is an excellent educational event. Wayne is a pleasant drive for folks from the northern part of the county or from anywhere in Geauga or Trumbull counties.
Take time to go to the show and study the old equipment on display. Think about the changes in tractors since the early ones were invented. Many historians give credit to the invention of the tractor and equipment like the grain binder and eventually mechanical planters and the combine to avoiding hunger in this country.
Without the development of modern agricultural technology, many people would still be on the farm today. And they would be subsistence type farms that would not provide a very good living. One does not need to have an antique tractor to display to enjoy these shows. Just have an interest in how that food on ones dinner table is efficiently produced today.
Volunteers give their time to plan and hold these events and should be given much credit for the educational programs they conduct. Sure, they have antique tractors and equipment for hobbies, but they do much more.
Parker is an independent agricultural writer.
