Preserving America’s Agricultural Spirit: The Story Behind Talking Tractors

When you ask Michael what Talking Tractors is all about, his answer comes with both a smile and a deep sense of purpose. What began as a boyhood fascination with agriculture has grown into a life’s work dedicated to honoring the legacy of America’s farming heritage.

Roots in the Heart of Agriculture

Michael grew up surrounded by agriculture. His childhood home sat on five acres in rural Kansas, bordered on all sides by crop fields. His grandfather was both a dairy and crop farmer, and as a teenager Michael worked at a sow operation just down the road. Farming, he explains, was always part of his family’s DNA.

When he married his wife nearly four decades ago, he inherited a new kind of connection: her father’s collection of antique tractors. That curiosity turned into passion years later when Michael bought his first antique tractor—a 1949 Farmall Cub. He intended to mow with it, but once he began restorin

g it, the tractor became too beautiful for yard work. One tractor quickly became three, and soon Michael’s garage was a showroom for classic farm machines.

From Hobby to Community Movement

Living in Missouri in the late 2000s, Michael realized how difficult it was to track down parts for his restorations. His solution was to create a website—theantiquetractorshow.com—to organize resources and showcase his collection. That simple idea blossomed when the local community asked him to host a tractor show.

One show led to another, and before long, the effort gained statewide attention. With support from the Missouri governor’s office, members of Congress, and even the U.S. Postal Service, the shows became a platform to celebrate rural America and its farming traditions.

After relocating back to Kansas, Michael relaunched his vision with Talking Tractors and introduced a new tradition: Antique Tractor Preservation Day.

What is Antique Tractor Preservation Day?

Celebrated annually on August 22, Antique Tractor Preservation Day shines a spotlight on America’s agricultural spirit, the families who built it, and the machines that helped shape rural life.

Each year, the Hutchinson, Kansas Post Office issues a special commemorative postmark, designed in collaboration with the U.S. Postal Service. Collectors and history enthusiasts from across the country—and even around the world—send in requests for this unique stamp. In fact, last year alone, letters arrived from more than 50 countries.

The celebration also includes a tractor display, where members of the Great Plains Antique Tractor Club bring restored machines for the public to enjoy. This year, the Hutchinson Fire Department raised an enormous American flag over the event, visible for blocks around.

“It’s not just about tractors,” Michael says. “It’s about connection. People come and see a machine that looks like the one their dad or grandfather farmed with, and it brings back tears and memories. That’s what makes it all worth it.”

A National Honor

Michael’s passion has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, he received the news of a lifetime: he will be inducted into the National Agricultural Hall of Fame.

“When I got the email, I thought—this can’t be real,” he recalls with a laugh. But it was very real. On October 23, he will join the ranks of agricultural giants including John Deere, Bob Dole, and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

“To be included among people of that caliber is humbling beyond words,” Michael says. “It still hasn’t quite sunk in.”

More Than a Hobby

For Michael, tractors are far more than steel and horsepower. They’re stories—stories of families, communities, and the values that built America.

“This isn’t a hobby,” he emphasizes. “It’s a passion. It’s about preserving history and inspiring future generations to stay connected to their agricultural roots. Agriculture shaped this country, and it continues to anchor our communities.”

And with Talking Tractors growing each year, Michael’s vision is making sure those roots stay strong—one restored machine and one shared story at a time.