Nickolas Kumm, an eighth grader at Osmond Community School, is a young man who grew up as a future sixth generation farm boy, and who loves everything about farm life.
According to his father, Greg Kumm, one of his first words he spoke at 1.5 years old was “taktor,” and he loved everything to do with the old two-cylinder John Deere tractors.
In 2014, when Nickolas was 4 years old, his parents decided to look for a tractor that he could have at a young age and they would call it “his tractor” and grow up with it, instead of waiting until he was older. His favorite John Deere tractor was the the 2 cylinder John Deere 530. Greg found a “diamond in he rough” in Minnesota, and purchased it, 10 years ago next month Since that day in March 2014, Nickolas has driven his tractor in three parades, been to numerous plowing bees pulling the 2 bottom plow that Greg’s grandfather gave him when he was Nickolas’ age, and currently uses Johnny tractor to help run his alfalfa business he started up more than two years ago.
Greg said this was his vision as Nickolas’ father, wanting him to grow up with his own tractor, to take ownership of it, and instill the love of agriculture history into his DNA with a tractor that is 50 years older than he is.
Nickolas will be driving his tractor to school on Wednesday, March 21, to celebrate National FFA Week, and even though most tractors are much larger with cabs and air conditioners, and with satellite guidance on them, Nickolas will be driving a tractor that “plowed the furrow” of agriculture decades before.
The Story of Nickolas’ Tractor The Kumms acquired the 1960 John Deere 530 tractor on March 14, 2014, in Lakefield, MN, from a gentleman who responded to Greg’s Craigslist ad. He wrote the ad as if Nick was writing it, with a picture of a restored 530, to show what he wanted so badly. The ad began: “Hi! My name is Nickolas. I’m 4 years old and I love John Deere tractors that go pop, pop, pop!!! My dad and I would like to get one so I can go pop, pop, pop too!! If you have one, please let me know! Or you could let my dad Greg know. I plan on keeping it the rest of my life!! Please call my dad at this number. Thanks!!”
It took about two weeks, after numerous responses, before they finally had a gentleman who actu ally had a 530 John Deere, as the
530 is quite rare. Many responded that they had a John Deere 630, or a John Deere 50, or a 60, or a 420, but Nick wanted a 530.
So Greg graciously said no to all who responded. Then the response came from Joe Rossow, from Lakefield, MN, that he had a 530, and it was a nice one.
The whole family traveled to meet Joe. When they got there, the tractor was just what he advertised, and was just what Nickolas wanted.
Greg said they would take it, but Joe told him if he wrote a check he would have to wait until it cleared. Then, although Greg had the cash, Joe said, “We have another problem. I haven’t told my wife I am wanting to sell it. Can you come back tomorrow morning and I will let you know if she is OSMOND STUDENT TO CELEBRATE FFA WEEK That’s when Greg realized this was "her" tractor too, and they drove 3.5 hours not knowing if they would be able to purchase it! So they stayed in a motel in Jackson, MN, that night, and Joe said he would call in the morning. The next morning, at 7 a.m., Greg got the call. Joe said "I guess you and your son own a 530 John Deere! My wife said it's ok! It was not an easy decision though. She loved that tractor. She said three things convinced her to sell it to you and Nickolas: 1. You brought cash! You were serious. 2. You brought a trailer and your whole family, and were willing to wait until morning AND were trusting enough to let Joe bring the $7,500 home with him, to show me, so you must
be a good family. And 3. You are a generational farm family, you plan on keeping it to make memories with your son, just like we did.”
“So that is the gist,” Greg said.
"We were confident Joe would sell it, but we almost had it slip through our fingers. So on the 10th anniversary of purchasing this tractor, we will remember how it all transpired!"
