Harrison Elementary tractor club is nonprofit and accepts donations, which can be made out to Harrison Elementary School or contact Scott Mehlberg at [email protected]. Pictured is Andrew Kercshner. (Photo by Elisa Walker)

WARSAW — Tucked into a 12 x 20 foot building behind Harrison Elementary is the tractor club working in diligent passion to restore and learn about tractors. The club’s current project is restoring a wheel horse, a gift to Kyle Miller in memory of his son, Kurt, who passed at 17-years-old in 2015. While the club members are fostering their passion for tractors they’re gaining life lessons.

PE teacher Scott Mehlberg and his father, Dave, supervise the club of eight members, which includes one seventh-grader and one freshman. The five-year-old club came to be when Mehlberg wanted to share his passions with students, giving them an opportunity to work hands-on, be resourceful and independent in fixing things.

“It’s nothing like the other clubs we have,” explained Mehlberg. “The older kids help teach a little bit since they know more. I’m a firm believer that if you can teach it, then you know it. I’m proud of all the kids in the club but it’s special to me that kids continue to come back and stick with it despite being out of elementary school. It’s reassurance that we’re doing something right.”

An ag scholarship fund was established in memory of Kurt Miller, who cherished agriculture and the community. (Photo provided)nce that we’re doing something right.”

The club building was donated by Dan Ransbottom and Echoes of the Past, a nonprofit antique tractor club. Miller, being a part of the Echoes, approached the club to restore the Wheel Horse, an opportunity warmly welcomed. He follows the club’s Facebook page, Harrison Elementary Garden Tractor Club, to watch its progress on various projects and provide support.

“I really believe in what they’re doing,” commented Miller. “Kurt was just getting into Wheel Horse and he would’ve loved something like this when he was in school. That’s why I approached Scott. It’s amazing that they have elementary kids doing this and that they’re doing this for me? It’s very heartwarming.”

It’s predicted to take two years to complete due to the level of the students but Mehlberg is looking forward to the moment they can present it to and meet Miller. Students understand that unlike other tractors, this one is a little more special to someone’s heart.

“It’s hard work and isn’t always fun but we know we’re not doing it for ourselves,” added Mehlberg. “We want this to be the best one we’ve done. We want to return it as something to be proud of. I feel we’re blessed to be around to help. It’s great for us to refocus and know why we’re doing this.”

For students, tractor club is about being able to meet people who enjoy learning about tractors as much as they do, giving them a place to belong. They have fun in becoming knowledgeable of tractors and the people who work with them. In being taught about preservation and how to use tools students overcome the fear of fixing something.

“It’s a lot of fun to come work on tractors,” said Thomas Coulter, freshman at Warsaw Community High School. “It teaches us a lot of life skills. I feel happy to be doing this for Kyle. He could’ve asked somebody else to do it. It means a lot that he came to us.”

“Tractor club means quite a bit to me,” said Griffin Brown, fifth grade. “I think it’s a great opportunity that we get to do something like this for Kyle. We can help them have something that will always remind them of their son.”