EMMETSBURG, Iowa (KTIV) -
As we say goodbye to summer, it's time to focus on school, but that doesn't mean you can't have a little fun in the process.
One community college is combining fun in the sun with a chance to raise funds for its programs.
Getting old tractors started can be a bit of a challenge, but the reward from this ride can be great.
"We can make it pretty affordable to come to Iowa Lakes," said Tony Condon, event coordinator for Iowa Lakes Community College.
This annual tractor ride will help fund some students' education. Plus, riders get a chance to take in the scenery in Iowa's Lakes Region.
"You're not just rushing by everything; you can take your time going places. It's not always go, go, go, you can just take your time and enjoy it," said Jeff Dale, a student at ILCC.
There are about 130 people in the ag program at Iowa Lakes Community College.
"Any time we can help our students out, with scholarships, it's going to make it easier for them to come to college, more affordable," said Tony Condon,
Most of the volunteers for the day are students with a history on the farm.
"Lived on a farm, since I was five and my mom just got remarried to a farmer, so we've got quite a bit more land to be farming," said Kyle Binner, an ILLC student.
"I really have a love for old tractors," said Dustin Goraczkowski.
On this day, their primary responsibility was helping drivers beat the heat.
"Pretty much hauled around the cooler, watering these guys because they get thirsty with this hot weather," said Binner.
For many, it'll save money on loans through the scholarship fund, plus they get a final day outdoors before classes start ramping up again.
"It's good for us that we'll be able to save some money and the guys can go out on the tractors and have some fun as well," said Goraczkowski.
Officials expect today's fundraiser to make between $2,500 and $3,000. That's more than 20 percent of what's needed for the entire ag scholarship fund.
Nearly 30 tractors were available for rides, and folks could make donations at dinner to the Ag Scholarship program.
Tractors, both old and new, are on parade for an Ag scholarship fundraiser for Iowa Lakes Community College.
