You are invited to a private board meeting and celebration of John Deere & Co. on Tuesday, 2/23 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Company founder John Deere is retiring and handing the plow to his son Charles.

As John Deere, historian and author Brian “Fox” Ellis reflects on the history of his self-scouring plows, shares some of his personal struggles and then turns to the great changes and future in farming that he foresees for his son.  

Ellis covers a hundred years of agricultural history and then leads a discussion on what is yet to come. Raising issues like the pros and cons of agriculture versus agribusiness, the role of technology and mechanization, the small family farm, centennial farms and community service agriculture, this program promises to engage the audience in a complex conversation on how we continue to feed the world.

Turning the old Q and A session on its head, a large portion of the program is John Deere asking the audience questions about their family roots in agriculture and where they think the future will lead us.

Attendees must have a Zoom account prior to this free presentation and registration is required. To register email Pam at prohleder@vbartlett.org. The Zoom link will be emailed to each participant after registration.