Last week I had a meeting at the Agriculture Hall of Fame in
Bonner Springs. There are many places that fascinate me and this is one of
them. I am not sure how many times I have been to the Hall of Fame, several
over the past twenty years or so and I never fail to see something new and this
time was no exception. The Hall of Fame has a new director, new direction and
new life and it is something everyone should go see.
Of course my favorite part is all of the old farm equipment
on display. I jokingly told those around me that it was like going into our
machine shed and there may have been some truth to that. Like any farmer the
old implements, tractors and combines of the past catch my attention and I try
to think about what it must have been like to use them. My conclusion is that farming
now is pretty cushy compared to back then.
I started my tractor driving career on an open tractor, but
I was raking hay and that hardly compares with plowing, disking or planting. I
just barely remember Dad combining with an old Massey combine with no cab. I
don’t really remember the combine, just Mom’s strict orders for us to stay out
of Dad’s way when he got home and to give him a clear path to the shower. I
also remember not recognizing the dusty, greasy guy who hastily made his way to
the shower.
I could and have spent a great deal of time studying the old
equipment and reading the signs in front of their display. Yes, I am that
person in a museum. I read everything and if you want to get through one in a
hurry, I am not the person you want to go with.
Rushing through the Hall of Fame with me is not an option. If you have
any background in agriculture and any knowledge of equipment this section will
hold you for quite a while.
The Hall’s newest exhibit and one of the biggest feathers in
their cap is a sculpture donated by Bayer. It was made for the Farm Progress
Show and is constructed entirely of recycled materials. I must say that the pop
bottle corn is really eye catching. I am not usually one for art but this
display alone is worth going to see. More importantly it also marks a
partnership with Bayer that will lead to even greater things.
The Hall of Fame also has a number of old structures like an
old railroad depot, blacksmith shop and school that are neat to walk through
and get a feel of what it must have been like a hundred years ago. The building
I found most interesting was the old farm house and outbuildings. It is set up
just like a turn of the century farm and offers an experience of farm life from
that era to school kids.
Speaking of kids, that is what I think is the most exciting
and holds the most promise for the Ag Hall of Fame. They have been working on
various projects involving children from nearby schools. They have also forged
a partnership with Kansas State Research and Extension Master Gardeners to
start a gardening project. This is exciting because it involves urban youth who
get a glimpse and taste of agriculture and what it is like to grow food. That
is where the Hall of Fame can have its biggest impact.
This project also has a display garden complete with more
signs to side track those of us who are into such things. They have also added
a bee keeping exhibit that is really buzzing (sorry, I just couldn’t help myself).
If you want to see something really odd and cool ask the staff to show you the
plow in a tree. Yes, a plow in a tree. It is my understanding that the plow
somehow had grown into the tree and was suspended twelve feed off of the ground
before the tree died. It is worth the extra effort to see.
I know we are all looking for quick easy trips this summer
and the Hall of Fame is just that. It is also relatively cheap, well unless you
include it with a trip to the Legends Mall just a couple of miles to the East
and then it might be a rather expensive trip. In any case, the Agriculture Hall
of Fame is one of the best kept secrets in our neck of the woods and I highly
recommend exiting I-70 to take a look.
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