Among equipment on display will be tractors from the 1950s and 1980s, as well as several 2020 models and some combines.
Ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 10, near the Chuck M. Pohlman Ag Complex on E. Benjamin Ave. in Norfolk. A live event is planned, along with virtual ceremonies and livestreaming. Area farmers, implement dealers and tractor enthusiasts are invited to bring their tractors to the event.
“Space will be provided for the tractors to be viewed safely,” said Dr. Tracy Kruse, associate vice president of development and external affairs and executive director of the Northeast Foundation. “We are planning to have antique tractors, working tractors, and tractors of the future on display.”
Several area implement dealers have committed to bringing tractors and other equipment to the groundbreaking ceremonies. Platte Valley Equipment will have a John Deere 8RZ 410, a 1983 4650, and a 1951 Model MT. Dinkel Implement plans to exhibit a 2020 New Holland CR Combine with automation – auto crop setting. Mitchell Equipment of Atkinson and Humphrey will be displaying an AFS Connect Steiger tractor with cutting edge technology to view current field operations, fleet information, and agronomic data. Other dealerships planning to bring tractors and equipment to the groundbreaking are AKRS Equipment Solutions, Titan Machinery and Grossenburg Implement.
“We especially invite area producers and those with antique tractors to join us to celebrate the new ag facilities at Northeast,” Kruse said. “We want to highlight the progression of agriculture in this area, and what better way to do that than to show how equipment has changed in the last 75 years.”
The site will open for tractor parking on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 8 a.m. For those who would like to bring their tractors the day before the event, staff will be on hand to help set up the display on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 2-5 p.m. For more information on the tractor display, call (402) 640-1769.
The initial phase of construction on the Nexus project includes a new veterinary technology clinic and classrooms, a new farm site with a large animal handling facility and other farm structures for livestock operations, a farm office and storage. The new facilities will be located near the Chuck M. Pohlman Agriculture Complex in Norfolk. Construction should be completed by Fall 2021.
The funding for the $22.3 million improvement to the agriculture facilities will come from Northeast’s commitment of $10 million, as well as external fundraising to fill the gap. The College has raised enough funds to begin construction; however, fundraising for the Nexus campaign will continue, as more is needed for equipment, technology and furnishings.
In August 2019, the Acklie Charitable Foundation (ACF) announced a $5 million lead gift to the Nexus project. ACF was founded by the late Duane Acklie and Phyllis Acklie, both Madison County natives and graduates of Norfolk Junior College, a predecessor institution of Northeast Community College.
For more information on the Nexus Campaign, contact Kruse, at tracyk@northeast.edu, or call (402) 844-7056. Online donations may be made through www.agwaternexus.com or by texting “AG” to 402-383-FARM (3276). Checks may also be mailed to Nexus Campaign, Northeast Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 469, Norfolk, NE 68702-0469.
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PHOTO CUTLINE
The late Trudy Schure, of Humphrey, used this 1951 John Deere MT to cultivate row crops, and jokingly told her family the MT stood for “mommy’s tractor.” This tractor sold for approximately $1200 new, and Schure’s son, Jess, spent approximately $7,000 to restore it in 2013. The tractor will be on display at the Sept. 10 groundbreaking ceremonies for new ag facilities at Northeast Community College. (Courtesy Photo)