Have you ever wanted to sit in the driver’s seat of a shiny new tractor? Agriculture students at Seymour High School in Indiana get to do just that.
In June 2018, the school had the opportunity to lease a brand-new Case IH Magnum 220 tractor fully equipped with the latest technology for only $1. The tractor retails for just under $300,000 and gives students a hands-on education about operating farm machinery.
The deal was made possible by the tractor’s manufacturer and Jacobi Sales Inc., a local Case IH distributor dedicated to supporting the future of agriculture and youth who will one day work in the industry.
“We will be able to train our students to operate the tractor and to utilize the latest autosteer and GPS technology,” says Jeanna Eppley, Seymour High School FFA advisor.
Seymour High School is also completing a $2 million ag science and research facility on the school farm, which has 137 tillable acres. With the addition of the tractor, students will have the opportunity to plant in the field and not only gain basic tractor operation skills but also learn the basics of setting up and utilizing the high-tech computer systems.
“Our hope is to ignite an interest in students to pursue further training or education in agriculture,” Eppley says. “From engineering and technology to being a skilled employee for local farmers, the opportunities are there. We just need to introduce students to these opportunities and motivate them to pursue education and careers in these areas.”
Seymour High School will use the tractor for 150 hours, and then it will be sold. The school will be able to order a new tractor for as long as Case IH continues to offer the program to secondary schools.
