By Richard Shank
The Hutchinson Tribune
HUTCHINSON—Twenty-five wooden model tractors have arrived in Hutchinson as part of a nationwide contest for National Historic Preservation Month, which is being observed in May, and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence celebration on July 4.
The wooden tractor project is an effort sponsored by TalkingTractors.com as part of its Heritage Tractor Tribute, a grassroots initiative honoring American agriculture and the part it played in American life through the nation’s history. The nationwide effort invites individuals, families, farmers, schools, youth organizations, businesses, and communities in all 50 states to design and decorate small wooden tractors representing the nation’s agriculture heritage and its role in the American story.
Hutchinson resident Michael Hinton, CEO of TalkingTractors.com, is heading up the effort and is well known in antique tractor circles. Hinton was a 2025 inductee to the National Agriculture Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs.
Hinton’s contemporaries have dubbed him an “antique tractor preservationist,” a label he proudly wears. In a Monday afternoon interview, he was quick to say America’s agriculture story is the backbone of America and must never be forgotten.
“Our goal is to receive at least one decorated wooden tractor from all 50 states with no limit on entries per participant or state,” Hinton said. “We will have a friendly competition recognizing the state with the greatest level of involvement.”
To date, tractors have arrived in Hutchinson from Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Nebraska, Alabama, and Kansas.
“All tractors are painted to match the agricultural heritage of the participant’s respective state,” Hinton said. “We organized the event so that it would not cost a large sum of money to build the wooden tractor.”
Hinton, a man known for detail and thinking outside the box, went so far as to contact the headquarters of the Guinness Worlds Records office in London to determine if there is a distinction for the organization or individual possessing the greatest number of wooden model tractors. He was told none exists. So, the number of tractors arrive in Hutchinson will be considered for recognition as a world record.
Participants are encouraged to showcase creativity and state pride.
“Tractors submitted may be handcrafted or commercially produced and decorated to reflect local agricultural traditions,” Hinton said. “Each entry must clearly display the state name and include the words ‘America 250’ and list the entrants name on the bottom of the tractor.”
In advance of announcing the contest, Hinton reached out to the National FFA, state departments of agriculture throughout the nation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and chambers of commerce. He received favorable responses from all.
For those who know Hinton, he seems like the logical person to spearhead a national contest regarding model tractors. Visitors to the Hinton home will see his personal collection of nearly 100 model tractors, including the Oliver brand.
Hinton’s day job is as director of sales and marketing for Ag Trax, a leading agri-business grain software provider, located in Hutchinson.
During the interview, Hinton was nostalgic as he told of growing up on what he calls a hobby farm in Kansas.
“Growing up I always wanted to own a tractor,” Hinton said with a hearty laugh. Then, he married Tonya Jury, a farm girl whose father owned 18 tractors in various conditions. “Frequently, I found myself working with Tonya’s father, searching for tractor parts, and that was fun too,” Hinton said.
During several career moves, he owned a trio of tractors, all of which he eventually sold.
As Hinton prepared to celebrate his 60th birthday, he did not know he was in for the surprise of his life, and it involved much more than a model tractor. This time around, it was the real thing, and Tonya gifted him a full-size 1941 Farmall M, purchased from long-time friends in Iowa who were marketing a family collection. So, one should not be surprised to see Hinton driving the 85-year-old Farmall M in area parades or parked at antique tractor shows in Kansas.
In 2025, at Hinton’s urging, the Kansas Legislature passed a resolution establishing Aug. 22 each year as Antique Tractor Preservation Day in Kansas, and Gov. Laura Kelly concurred by affixing her signature to the document. Other states have taken note of Kansas’ declaration, and some are considering doing the same.
“My goal is to bring awareness to old tractors, which are a part of our history,” Hinton said. “It is in my blood and always will be. It is a passion.”
During the interview Hinton was asked what will happen to the avalanche of wooden model tractors being mailed to Hutchinson.
“I would like them to be exhibited in Hutchinson, and plans are underway to make that happen,” Hinton said.
Completed tractors must be mailed to Talking Tractors, c/o Heritage Tractor Tribute to America, PO Box 154, Hutchinson, Kansas 67504-0154. Additional details are available by visiting TalkingTractors.com.
All who know Hinton are aware of his avocation for antique tractors, but few if any, knew he is a composer too. Recently, he spent a few evenings at home composing a song titled “Talking Tractors,” summing up his lifelong hobby.
Michael Hinton wears many hats when it comes to the subject of antique tractors, but a recent distinction naming him “America’s Antique Tractor Ambassador” describes him the best.