HUNTLEY ā For close to a quarter-century, the McHenry County Antique Farm Equipment Association of Illinois (MCAFQI)has been a gathering place for all who cherish generations-old tractors. Some of the tractors were on display at a recent Huntley Farmers Market.
Membership chairman Jim Jones of Union described the purpose of the 100-member club.
“We go to area fairs, as we were just at Harvard Milk Days, have tractor treks to places like Lake Geneva, Wis. and work with FFA Alumni and McHenry County Farm Bureau.”
Club members are looking forward to providing the service of shuttle rides at the McHenry County Fair. The fair will take place Aug. 1-6 at McHenry County Fairgrounds, at 11900 Country Club Road in Woodstock.
At a Weekly Farmers Market in Huntley, Jones showed his 1970 John Deere tractor. He described it as a working tractor. “Two days ago, I used it to bail hay on the 10 acres I farm near Union,” Jones said.
The tractor includes then-new items of front wheel drive, power seating, a cushioned and canopied seat.
Jones also owns a 1939 Farmall H tractor, the first year of that model. He estimates the oldest tractor is a few years older than that.
Jones explained he always had an interest in Huntley, even though he moved to Union, as that is where he attended school. “I was a member of the first graduating class when Huntley Schools moved to Route 47. My dad used to farm at Huntley and Dundee Road.”
The MCAFEQI was founded in 1999. Officers are President Butch Borchardt; Vice President RonĀ Richardson; Secretary Brian Barnes; Treasurer Marv Marquardt and Membership Chair, Jones.
In addition to the McHenry County Fair, other events for the group are the Lake County Fair, in Grayslake, July 26-30 or at the Boone County Fair in Belvidere, Aug. 8-13 and several fall events.
The weekly Huntley Farmers Market takes place at the Huntley Town Square from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
