Farm Director KC Sheperd recently sat down with Michael Hinton, known as “America’s Antique Tractor Ambassador,” to discuss his ongoing movement to celebrate agricultural history through Antique Tractor Preservation Day and vintage machinery restoration.
The Journey to Becoming an Ambassador
Hinton’s passion for vintage farm equipment spans nearly two decades, rooted deeply in his childhood and family ties. Growing up watching agricultural storytellers and living near farmland in Central Kansas, he developed an early appreciation for the machinery that feeds the country.
“That title kind of has amassed over a culmination of about 17 years,” Hinton explained during his interview with Farm Director KC Sheperd. “It started back when I was very young. I grew up watching Charles Kuralt and Roger Welsch on Postcards from Nebraska and listening to Roger talk about his antique tractors. Then as I grew up further, my parents had a small hobby farm in Central Kansas, and literally wheat fields surrounded our home.”
His connection to antique tractors deepened after marrying his wife, Tanya, whose father collected Farmall tractors. Later, while living in Missouri, Hinton acquired three vintage tractors for his property, which sparked a search for resources, parts, and local events. Finding limited centralized information at the time, he launched a dedicated website to help fellow enthusiasts.
Expanding State and National Recognition
What began as a local effort in West Plains, Missouri, quickly gained traction at the state and national levels. After working with Missouri Governor Jay Nixon to highlight local tractor events, Hinton continued advocating for official recognition of agricultural history.
In recent years, his outreach has earned support from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, U.S. Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran, and Congressman Tracey Mann. The effort has expanded into neighboring states as well, with Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signing a proclamation and the Illinois House of Representatives designating August 22nd as Antique Tractor Preservation Day in Illinois.
His advocacy also led to an invitation to Washington, D.C., during national celebrations.
“I was very fortunate here in March, I received an invitation from President Trump to come to the White House,” Hinton said. “They had the Great American Agriculture Celebration, and my wife and I were invited, so we sat on the South Lawn… they had three farm tractors there, all decorated up with the America 250 persona, so it was really a great event.”
For Hinton, expanding these proclamations across the country remains the core mission. “My vision for this expanding is really starting to take shape,” Hinton noted. “I would love to see additional states join in this… honoring farmers, family values, our agricultural heritage, and that was the purpose that I started it out with.”
Restoring Vintage Equipment and Getting Involved
When asked by Sheperd what advice he would give to someone interested in restoring vintage farm equipment, Hinton emphasized personal connection and thorough preparation.
“First, find the tractor that you’re interested in,” Hinton advised. “A lot of that is what speaks to you and what you grew up with. First find that, and then secondly, I would say do your research.”
For enthusiasts interested in participating in the movement or learning more about the history of the designation, Hinton encourages visiting his official website at talkingtractors.com, where visitors can find event details, historical background, and contact information to help bring Antique Tractor Preservation Day to their own states.
Connecting with the Movement
For those looking to dive deeper into vintage agricultural machinery or get involved with upcoming events, Hinton created a dedicated online hub at talkingtractors.com. The platform offers historical background on the Antique Tractor Preservation Day initiative, guidance on how local communities can request official proclamations, and a space for enthusiasts to share restoration resources, parts, and stories. Visitors can also find direct contact information on the site to connect with Hinton and join the growing national movement to honor America’s farming legacy.
