Prayer kicks off spring fieldwork

JEFFERSON, Wis. — On April 12, farmers from Jefferson County were sent forth into another season of fieldwork with a special blessing. Standing amid tractors of all kinds, the farmers participated in a prayer service at the cusp of planting season.

Driving their tractors to St. Mark’s Ev. Lutheran Church in the heart of downtown Jefferson, area farmers took time out of busy schedules to pray for a safe and fruitful planting during the “Blessing of the Tractors.” Prayers were said for farmers, their families and the community as part of the event designed to uplift agriculture and farmers.

About 30 tractors were parked outside the church and more than 70 people in attendance for the event that started at 9 a.m. with a welcome by its founder, Dale Gaugert. Gaugert said it was a beautiful line-up of tractors and a good mix of colors before him.

Gaugert used to be the owner of several John Deere dealerships, and although retired, he continues to take calls from farmers.

“Over the years, Jefferson County farmers have not only been good customers, but more importantly, we have become great friends,” Gaugert said. “The tractor blessing solidifies that friendship.”

The blessing was hosted by the Rev. Christopher Raiford.

“It’s a great opportunity to uplift the ‘Faith of a Farmer’ who puts one’s trust in God and Mother Nature to bring life to tiny seeds planted each spring.” said Raiford in a press release. “With 7,000 people working in an agriculture-related industry in Jefferson County, we hope the community will come out to see the big equipment and the big hearts who power it.”

Aaron and Melanie Kutz and their children — Kinsley, Brynnly, Zakary and Hadley — attended the “Blessing of the Tractors” in 2024.

“It wasn’t so much about blessing a tractor, but rather, the tractor represents the blessing of our whole operation,” Melanie Kutz said.

The Kutz family milks 2,100 cows and farms 1,800 acres near Jefferson, about three miles from the church. The tractor they brought was a John Deere 8370R they use for planting corn and cutting alfalfa.

“We use that tractor for making food for our cows so that we can make a good dairy product,” Kutz said. “We know the Lord is in control of everything, and we need his help. We wanted him to bless the start of our planting season, which is one of our busy seasons on the farm.”

Kutz’s father-in-law started Kutz Dairy LLC in 1972 with one heifer calf. Today, Kutz and her husband farm with Aaron’s parents and his brother and sister-in-law.

“The blessing was very cool and kind of emotional,” Kutz said. “We pray together every night as a family, but this was different knowing all those other farmers were there praying for the same reason. We all want a good, safe season and want to bless our dairy farms. When you bring farmers together, it’s always a good thing, but to do it for a blessing with everyone on common ground who are all in the process of planting, makes it a really neat experience.”

There are about 1,098 farms in Jefferson County on more than 190,000 acres. The most widely planted crops in the county are corn and soybeans.

“This year’s turnout was outstanding,” Gaugert said. “We had the largest John Deere tractors — a 620 horsepower on wheels or tracks — and the largest Case IH tractors they build on tracks. It was such a good mix. We also had a couple of antique Allis Chalmers tractors there.”

A retired Catholic priest brought his 1941 Farmall A tractor to the blessing.

“He’s all about ag, and this event ties together not just our church but other churches as well,” Gaugert said.

Each tractor donned a sign indicating the family name and number of years they have been farming. Retired farmers and people from the community joined in prayer with the farmers as well as a 4-H student who brought his miniature goats to partake in the blessing.

Ralph Lassa of PremierBank and Peter Curran also said a few words.

The theme of Curran’s speech was, “Farmers are lucky.”

“Farmers live independently, together, sometimes miles apart,” Curran said. “Yet, they are still a community. A neighborhood noted by the number of silos on the horizon… Farmers are lucky. And, so are all of us. Because all our roots run through a farm. … Farmers are lucky to have a business partner in God.”

Following Curran was the blessing by Raiford, who also read the poem, “So God Made a Farmer,” by Paul Harvey. After the blessing, attendees stayed for refreshments and fellowship.

“There was a lot of good camaraderie among the farmers who were there,” Gaugert said. “They hung out together and talked. It was good to see. The weather was beautiful. We couldn’t have asked for a better day.”

Gaugert held the first “Blessing of the Tractors” in 2013. It was not until 2024 that the next blessing took place.

“I thought it would be a one and done, but then last year, I got to thinking, maybe we should have it again,” Gaugert said.

Gaugert said he is hoping for a good crop again this year for Jefferson County farmers.

“The event gives farmers an opportunity to come and see a good group of local farmers they probably haven’t seen for a while and the chance to compare notes as they talk about getting ready to go planting,” Gaugert said. “The tractor blessing closed with a reminder that when you eat, you should thank God and thank a farmer.”