An annual tradition within the Ceylon area will continue Sunday as a group of farmers with antique equipment will be using them to harvest a crop.
The harvest of 80 acres happens at the farm of Mark Vermulen each year, located south of Ceylon. Vermulen said most of the equipment is from the 1960's but there are some from 40's, 50's and up to the mid-1970's.
"We got mostly John Deere. There's some Masseys…there's some odds and ends." Vermulen said.
The annual antique harvesting day started several years ago, evolving from collecting tractors, combines and trucks, to the idea of using them for an afternoon. Over time, neighbours started doing the same.
"It's actually turned out to be a lot of fun." Vermulen said. The occasion has grown through word of mouth, to the point where people call to ask when they're doing it and if they can watch.
"A lot of people will come from all over the place. I get calls, you know, when are you gonna have it? Let me know if I can make it. I wouldn't mind come checking it out. So yeah, people do come from quite a ways away.”
The crop being harvested is durum, which Vermulen said they leave a few acres for the end of the season and when they combine it depends on availability.
A YouTube video of their 2023 harvest is available by clicking here.
