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Dinosaur of the Field... Rumbling on a Rumley

Pipestone Flyer

 

 

The huge machine rumbled around the grounds at Reynolds Alberta Museum taking guests for a ride and a ‘sneak-a- peek’ to launch the summer exhibit, Dinosaurs of the Field: Tractors That Built Alberta. The exhibit runs May 19 to October 14, 2012. 

A special feature of the exhibit will be "Farming Friday". During the months of July and August RAM will provide a special focus on agriculture in Alberta, and how it impacts our everyday lives. There will be lots to see and do including public tractor rides, a children’s craft, children’s play area, and demonstrations. The Agrium "seed survivor" trailer will provide everyone with fun hands-on activities that conclude with planting a seed to take home (in an environmentally friendly container!). 

Agrium's popular "Seed Survivor" program is curriculum based for elementary children. It teaches youth that plants need water, light, healthy soil, and nutrients to survive. Lindsey Metheral, Program Advisor with Agrium Inc. explained the importance of having their interactive display as part of the summer exhibit. “Some of the challenges we face in urban settings is with kids not understanding where their food comes from. Agriculture is the foundation for life. We want to make sure there is a presence of agriculture in every household and (resolve) the disconnect where food comes from and the importance of food and fibre.” Through the Seed Survivor display, Agrium focuses on teaching youth about the importance of agriculture and share their knowledge using a curriculum based program. Agrium Inc., based in Calgary, Alberta is a leading retail supplier of agricultural products and services in the Americas and Australia and a global producer, marketer, and distributor of crop nutrients.

But the exciting attraction will be the opportunity to climb aboard the huge Rumley tractor and go for a ride. Participants will experience first-hand, what farmers underwent operating the tractors built from 1906 to 1921. The heat, the rough ride created by cleated steel wheels and the constant pulling of levers and on-going task of trying to steer this heavy beast.  Jovan Kvill, a grade XII student from New Norway will be one of the volunteer drivers offering free tractor rides every "Farming Friday" at Reynolds Alberta Museum during the months of July and August.   

The Rumely Oil Pull was a line of farm tractors developed by Advance-Rumely Company from 1910 to 1930. Most were very large tractors powered by kerosene-burning engines. The engine was designed to burn all kerosene grades at any load. Source- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance-Rumely

Programming offered every day in July 6-August 24 features:

• Agrium "Seed Survivor" interactive trailer

• Corliss engine start/shut down demonstration

• Grain elevator demonstration

• Rope making demonstration

• Horse vs. Tractor demonstration

• Picture Postcard Promotion- you fill it in, we mail it out!

• Children's Farm House play area

• Children's craft

 

Visit RAM this summer.