One-of-a-kind, almost

There are exactly two of these in the world.

One is in Finland, where this many-jointed forestry machine was created as a concept.  The other is in the newly renovated John Deere Pavilion in Moline.

 I really wanted to climb in the cab and take it for a test drive, at least until I saw the feet. I can’t imaging trying to keep six of these things moving smoothly.

The machine itself is not actually made by John Deere (although it’s still a nice shade of green!). It was made by Timberjack, a subsidiary purchased in 2000. That accounts for the logo, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty cool, huh?

Another Almost-Great Ad

I have to thank a coworker at Deere for sharing this ad. It’s almost a great ad– great concept, beautiful lighting, good copy, green paint.  But there’s just something funny about that tractor.

This is one funny-looking tractor.

Great looking combine, through.

 

This isn’t the first close-but-not-quite ad that Chevy has run in farm magazines.

To me, it reflects the difference between thinking that you know your target market and really understanding your target market.

In any ways, John Deere is lucky that we’ve had almost 2 centuries to work on our understanding of farmers here in the US. But as the face of farming changes, both here and around the globe, everyone needs to keep learning or run the risk of getting out of touch.

It’s part of the reason I love social media so much. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and 4Square help me connect with farmers around the globe and learn from them.

And I’m starting to learn more and more about turf and construction now, too.

I always try to thank farmers for growing food for me (hey, I love eating!), but I don’t often remember to thank everyone I know through social media for taking the time to help me learn.

Thanks, farmers and turf managers and construction folks. It’s great to know you!

 

A Lucky One: Farm Safety

 

 

This Irish ad for Farm Safety is pretty hard to ignore. I saw it on an advertising blog that I read, and  I had to share it in ag circles.  Stay safe out there, no matter where you farm!

The text reads:

“I’m the lucky one.
My farm accident didn’t kill me, unlike the 22 people who died on Irish farms last year.
Life goes on for me and my family, but you might not be so lucky.
Stop taking risks. Farm safely.”

 

The Last Rest Stop

This is, hands down, my favorite sign on I-35 North.

Be careful, everyone! It’s the LAST REST STOP IN MISSOURI!

Which actually isn’t anywhere near as dire as it sounds, as there are several good-sized gas stations, fast food restaurants and even a Wal-Mart between that rest stop and the state line. And a few fireworks stores if you want some gun powder with your bathroom break.

And even then, the next rest stop is only a few miles across the Iowa border.

Still, I get the giggles every time I see it because it somehow implies you’re not going to encounter indoor plumbing ever again. Cows, corn and road kill, sure, but no more bathrooms.

It might was well say “Abandon hope, all ye who enter!” or “Turn back, ye small of bladder!”

And yes, I am a little uncomfortable with my familiarity with bathroom options between Des Moines and KC… and the fact that I know the stops between Des Moines and Moline just as well (I80 truck stop, anyone?)

 

Working with history

This will come as no surprise to most of you, but I’m a big fan of history.  I think I can safely blame my love of reading for some of it, and some of it is probably just my natural fascination with little details. Many people hear bits of historic minutia and think “so?”.  I think “How cool!”

 So  I’ve got to admit I’m really enjoying a current project that I’m working on. This year, John Deere celebrates its 175th anniversary.

That means that John Deere had been in business for over 70 years when Henry Ford introduced the Model T. It was in business for almost 40 years when Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone.

The company lasted through the American Civil War, the Great Depression, World Wars I and II.  The list goes on and on. Heck, the company has been publishing The Furrow, a farming magazine, for over 100 years.

One interesting thing that I’ve discovered since I started working at the company is that there is still ablacksmith on staff. He works at the Historic Site in Grand Detour, Illinois* and demonstrates the same kind of manual ironworking that Deere himself would have used to make his famous plow. I haven’t had a chance to see the blacksmith in action, but I hope to get a chance this summer. Coworkers have told me that history gets even more interesting when you add in some flying sparks and clanging hammers.

Like history isn’t interesting enough as it is…

*The company didn’t move to Moline, Illinois till 1848, where the world headquarters still remains today. Don’t feel bad if you didn’t know that– I didn’t until one of the Heritage Marketing guys told me last year, and I still needed to look up the date.  

Coming Soon to the QC

I’ll admit it: this video for the renovation of the John Deere Pavilion made my morning.

I’ll definitely be checking it out on one of my visits to Moline.