Back Roads

from THE LAND ~ April 30, 2021 ~ Southern Edition

by The Land

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This week’s Back Roads is the work of The Land Managing Editor Paul Malchow. Not the longest, but the biggest

Good weather if you’re a duck, but the pelting rain didn’t deter participants or patrons of the Randolph High School FFA tractor parade. “The parade always goes on, whether it’s rain, sun, or even snow,” said FFA Chapter Reporter Liz Reinardy. “We certainly had a great turn out, so that was great to get to see everyone coming together to support Carter, his family, and the Randolph FFA.”

The Carter Reinardy referred to would be Carter Nicolai — a local member of the community who attended Randolph Schools. “Carter lost his life this past spring in an ATV accident, at just age 10,” said Reinardy. “He absolutely loved tractors, farming, and really anything agriculture. The parade was one of the highlights of his whole year, so this year we decided to dedicate the whole parade to him.”

This year was the 18th version of the annual event which skipped 2020 because of Covid-19. To allow for social distancing this year, the parade lineup took place by the River Country Cooperative instead of the school parking lot. Coffee, donuts and a tent were set up as participants signed in, but it was clear the tractors were the draw. Social distancing was a distant thought as parade participants were admiring each other’s rides.

Randolph, Minn.

from on-and-off showers. Tractors with cabs provided participants with the more comfortable ride, but those in the open air paid the weather no mind and they smiled and waved with enthusiasm.

“Harold!” one parade watcher shouted and waved. “Harold!”

Chugging along on his Farmall at the pace of a brisk walk, Harold peered through the raindrops to locate his fan among the sea of umbrellas. He found her and instantly smiled broadly and waved for the camera — brief ray of sunshine on an overcast day.

“Our annual tractor parade is to kick off the fieldwork for farmers each year,” Reinardy said. “It’s mainly just an event where our FFA and community members can all come together, see each other, and just support the FFA.”

FFA has a strong presence in this town of about 480 people. The Randolph chapter boasts 120 members under the tutelage of ag instructor Ed Terry and assistant advisor Leah Addington. The Randolph School District offers courses such as Small Engines, Forestry Conservation, Plant and Soil Science, Animal Science and Agriculture in America. There is also a Farm Power course where students receive hands-on training, working on the chapter’s 12

A total of 124 tractors took part in this year’s parade. They came in all sizes and makes: gleaming behemoths with living room-sized cabs to antique flywheel workhorses. Horsepower didn’t matter at this event. All of the tractors were showroom clean and equally received by enthusiastic supporters.

At 9 a.m. sharp the parking lot roared to life as the Randolph Fire Department began escorting the tractors through town. School children peered out from underneath large tarps, adults chose umbrellas to shelter themselves tractors.

Randolph FFA also has a 40-acre plot at its disposal along with an 8.5-acre test plot near the school. Chapter members make all crop production decisions and assist with planting and harvest.

It took a little over an hour for the tractors to wind their way through town before heading back to their respective farms — a parade after the parade, so to speak. By all accounts, the parade will return next April. Keep an eye on the Randolph FFA Facebook page for details. v