It is a pretty big deal when one person wins a state championship, but it is almost unheard of for three brothers to score in the top ten. Drew, Tom and Dan Beck each won an award in the state FFA tractor driving competition. They took first, third and eighth place, respectively. The Beck brothers learned how to drive tractors growing up on their farm north of Kimball. They say that they didn’t practice or prepare for the event, everyday chores made them ready. “We have a crop and cattle farm [on Highway 15],” Drew said. He explained that he and his brothers have helped drive the tractor during planting, spraying herbicide and harvesting. Basically, they were involved throughout the growing season. “We have been driving since we could reach the pedals,” said Dan. Their daily chore work and maintenance on the tractor paid off at the state competition. Contenders in the state event had to complete a written test, do a safety check, and drive the tractor with a two-wheel and four-wheel wagon attached. While driving the tractor may seem easy, the competitors are required to back the tractor up, weave through stakes and park the wagon and tractor in a stall. All of this is done in a course marked with golf balls on stakes. If any golf balls fall off, the contenders gain points. They are required to complete the course in four minutes and are judged on their time. FFA advisor Shawn Meyer explained that if a golf ball falls off, the driver gains 100 points, with the lowest score winning. Drew finished his two-wheel course in one minute, 23 seconds, and didn’t knock off any balls. This, along with his scores in other competitions allowed him to win first place. “The two-wheel wagon [competition] was the easiest,” Drew said. “The trailer followed better.” In the four-wheel wagon event, the front two wheels turn, directing the wagon, but making precise parking more difficult. For the inspection portion of the competition, participants look at a tractor to see what is wrong with it. There may be a lug nut missing off the tire, the parking brake may not be on, or there could be a light out. Whatever the problems, the contenders must find as many as they can, or all 10, in under four minutes. Drew said, “It was pretty easy, common sense stuff.” Dan has recently restored a tractor by taking it apart, putting in new parts and adding a fresh coat of paint. This hobby along with regular maintenance on the tractor gave him an edge when looking for problems. Drew and Dan’s older brother, Tom, also gained this experience while working on the family farm. It also led him to pursue a career in diesel mechanics. He currently attends Alexandria Technical College. For their hard work and efforts, Drew received $125 award, a plaque and a ribbon. Tom was awarded $50, a plaque and ribbon; and Dan took home an eighth-place ribbon. The brothers first competed as Kimball FFA members at the Meeker County Fair tractor drive. From the county competition they all advanced to the state event, with only 25 other contenders. According to the boys’ father, the competitions used to be pretty fierce. Sometimes FFA chapters would have to hold local drive-offs to see which members would participate at the county level. Then, more than 100 people competed at to the state drive. “I think that this is a great example of how we are changing from an ag society to a non-ag society,” Meyer said. However, the FFA chapter’s emphasis on agriculture in the community and school district is very strong. Drew and Dan are involved with Kimball FFA. Drew is on the dairy judging team and Dan participates in the agriculture mechanics event. That is what is unique about FFA. There is something for everyone, no matter where their interests lie. Advisor Meyer summed it up best by saying FFA caters to “Almost anything [students are] interested in. There is traditional ag, like driving tractors, to starting your own flower business by setting up bouquets and making arrangements, to working at the local grocery store. That’s FFA.”
