From BOWLING GREEN FFA
Aaron Foos of Eastwood FFA won the 2026 FFA Tractor Operator’s Contest. Konnor Chambers of Bowling Green FFA was second; followed by David Claydon of Eastwood FFA, third; Travis Vollmar of Otsego FFA, fourth; and Nolan Vollmar of Otsego FFA, fifth.
The contest is popular among fairgoers who watch FFA members attempt to drive and back two- and four-wheeled farm implements through an obstacle course. The contest consists of three areas. In the two-wheeled event, the contestant must drive a tractor and manure spreader out of a shed, back down a 50-foot alleyway, and then manipulate the unit through a series of stakes without touching them.
In the four-wheeled event, the contestant must back a tractor up to a wagon and drop a hitch pin without moving either the tractor or wagon by hand. Then, the wagon is pulled forward with the tractor and backed into a different shed. Both of these events are timed.
The third area is safety, where contestants are penalized for any safety infractions during the operation of the tractor and implements. The contest requires skill and ability, which must be practiced.
Trophies for the top three places were sponsored by the Ed and Denise Foos family. Truland Equipment furnished the tractors, the Hoile/Hanna family furnished the wagon, the Eastwood and Otsego FFA chapters furnished the course markers, and the BG Agricultural Education Department furnished the manure spreader.
Judges for the contest were Jacob Brown, Mark Wensink, Tom Stearns, and Josh Isaacson.
