You have been invited to a private board meeting and celebration of John Deere & Co. The founder of the company is retiring and handing the plow to his son Charles. John Deere reflects on the history of his self-scouring plows, shares some of his personal struggles, and then turns to the future and the great changes in agriculture that he foresees in the vision of his son, who is about to transform the company and the future of farming.
Historian, author, and actor Brian “Fox” Ellis, in character as John Deere, will cover a century of agricultural history and then lead a discussion on the future of farming. Raising issues such the pros and cons of agriculture versus agribusiness, the roles of technology and mechanization, and the significance of small family farms, centennial farms, and community-supported agriculture, this program promises to engage the audience in a complex conversation about the directions that our ongoing efforts to feed the world might take.
John Deere will be appearing in the village park at Bishop Hill this coming Saturday at 1 p.m. as part of the Bishop Hill Chautauqua. This is a free performance open to all.
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