25 Like Us on Facebook: BetterFarmingON Better Farming | December 2023 GuardianNetwork.ca Join the Guardian Network today! The Guardian Network is a volunteer, peer-driven community of mental health advocates that supports Ontario’s farming community. Learn more, join a monthly training session, or book a private training session for your group today: Funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Why it’s coveted: These mementos can range from advertising material to clothing to products you may have never expected your favourite tractor manufacturer to have made. Plus, these branded items can be visually attractive. “Early advertising was very colourful,” Heaslip explains. “Massey has some gorgeous printed calendars.” Where to find: Auctions, collector groups, flea markets, and antique malls. You might also check in with your local equipment dealership – you never know what old-time promotional material they might have on-hand from years gone by. Farm toys From scale-models to larger ride-on pedal tractors, farm toys have been popular targets for collectors. Why they’re coveted: Like collecting the real thing, these scale-models bring back memories of our favourite tractors in the past. The toys are often extremely detailed and attractive to display. In addition to the sentimental aspect, some scale models can increase in value as the years go by. Just make sure you save the box it came in if you’re looking to sell later. Where to find: Toy shows, antique stores, auctions, and flea markets. Toy shows are a great way to visit with fellow collectors and gain insight into the hobby. Also, check out your local dealership for replicas of modern machines. Cast iron seats While today’s modern equipment seats are designed for comfort and ergonomic support, the seats of the past were made of cast iron and built for durability. Why they’re coveted: These seats are popular with collectors for their aesthetic value. There are many styles around rural Ontario, with different patterns and branding, from tractors and horsedrawn implements like planters, reapers, binders, and rakes. Where to find: Antique exhibitions, local sales, flea markets, digital marketplaces, and community forums. Dairy equipment Before advanced robotics came to milk production, farmers of the past relied on tools like hand-cranked cream separators, butter churns, and milk pails to bring dairy products to their communities. Why they’re coveted: These vintage tools bring back memories of self-sustenance and how farmers once had a more hands-on approach to making our food. Watch out for the McCormick- Deering cream separator, a favourite among collectors. This hand-cranked machine refined dairy products by dividing milk into cream and skim. Where to find: Antique stores, flea markets, or auctions. Farm antiques
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