Heritage Tractor's Traveling Tractor Tour plans Joplin stop to benefit Humane Society

Jul. 25—Heritage Tractor's Traveling Tractor Tour will make a stop in Joplin next week to benefit the Joplin Humane Society.

During the tour, the business will donate more than $20,000 across its dealership network to 21 charities, many in the region. Heritage Tractor has 21 locations throughout Eastern Kansas, Western Missouri and Northern Arkansas. It employs more than 560 people throughout the area.

A decorated John Deere tractor will arrive at the event leading a parade of Heritage Tractor employees.

The tour will present the Joplin Humane Society with a check for $1,000 at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 2. The public is invited to attend the tour stop, and organizers said they hope to bring attention to the adoption and resource center. The tour started in Smithville on June 4 and is traveling over 1,140 miles through the summer. The final stop will be Aug. 16 in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Founded in 1998, Heritage Tractor has acquired many locations over the years, including Joplin's in 2016. It is a full-service John Deere dealer.

"Our goal over the last few years has been to give back to the communities," said Jessi Ganoung, brand manager for Heritage Tractor. "We've done this in many ways. We're proud sponsors of most local FFA organizations."

For its 25th anniversary last year, Heritage Tractor planted trees in each of its communities to mark the milestone. Ganoung said employees received such great feedback that they wanted to continue the outreach, adopting the mission statement of "Heart of Heritage." They decided to drive a tractor to their locations for this year's charitable campaign.

The traveling tractor itself is a John Deere 5E tractor, wrapped with an American flag decal. Ganoung said that size was chosen because it's a middle-ground tractor that fits with both some of their larger agriculture dealerships and smaller urban stores.

Employees at each dealership voted for a local charitable organization to benefit during the tour. So far, they have donated to causes that include veterans services, food pantries, animal shelters and fire departments.

"It's been really fun to see what each location chose to sponsor in their community," Ganoung said.

Joplin's dealership held a vote and decided on the Joplin Humane Society.

"We're excited to get out there, make a difference in the communities and get to know the people who are already doing that," Ganoung said.

In addition to Joplin, the Heritage Tractor Traveling Tractor Tour will stop in:

—Anderson on July 30, benefiting the Anderson Food Pantry.

—Lockwood on Aug. 6, benefiting the Lockwood Food Pantry.

—Lamar on Aug. 9, benefiting the Lamar Animal Shelter.

—Nevada on Aug. 13, benefiting the Nevada FFA.

—Pittsburg on Aug. 16, benefiting Dream Big Little One.