It has been an exciting year for the California IH Collectors Foundation, in particular with our adopted FFA Chapters. Students in the FFA have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of agriculture engineering, crop science and hands-on training.
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The Santa Paula FFA received $1,000.00 to help fund their tractor restoration project, a 1945 Farmall Model A tractor. |
Tractor restored with help of California International Harvester Collectors Foundation
December 20, 2013
Santa Paula News
The California International Harvester (IH) Collectors Foundation supports the California FFA Chapters in restoring antique tractors. The Santa Paula FFA received $1,000.00 to help fund their tractor restoration project, a 1945 Farmall Model A tractor. The foundation proudly supports young agriculturalists who may be interested in agriculture mechanics through IH tractor restoration projects.
The Topa Topa Antique Tractor Club members, Alex Flores, the Agriculture Teacher; and students - Daniel Desales, Anthony Felix, Henry Arballo, and Erick Lemus all worked together to complete the project. The project aimed at developing mechanical and restoration skills for possible careers in agriculture mechanics. The project also taught valuable employability skills such as team work, communication, problem solving, and most importantly; following directions.
By mid-April, the students invested approximately 168 hours in this restoration project and continued the rest of the school year to rebuild the tractor. Students entered the newly restored 1945 Farmall Model A Tractor in its first parade, the Santa Paula Christmas Parade on November 30th. The students will continue to work on the tractor project workbook, record book, and video in the Spring for the 2014 Tractor Restoration Competition through DELO Chevron in the Fall.
In March 2013, negotiations were underway to expand the FFA program that involved the purchase of Stewart Ranch for the new school’s educational facility. The Stewart’s, the Limoneira Company, and the Santa Paula Union High School District negotiated the purchase of the new 29 acre farm. The new facility will allow students to manage the 15 acre lemon orchard, begin an apple orchard, and avocado orchard; as well as develop a new learning center that will include crop tours, workshops, greenhouse, and school-to-garden programs for K-12 while developing partnerships with local agri-business. In February 2014, there will a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Santa Paula High School’s Stewart Ranch Agriculture Learning Center.
