In Bobcat’s “Great Bobcat Tractor Pull” contest, entrants were asked to describe how they would use a Bobcat compact tractor on their farm.
Chosen as the grand-prize winner from 10,000 entries, John Shepherd of Porter, Ind., receives a Bobcat CT235 compact tractor and implements package. Shepherd is an apple-orchard owner and beekeeper in Indiana.
Shepherd referred to his story as a “21st-century, reality-version of ‘Green Acres,’” called his wife a “city girl,” and added, “I’m kind of country.” Shepherd said he’ll use the Bobcat tractor to move hive bodies, plant trees in the orchard, and put up fencing — among other things — on their 25 acres near the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan.
The second-place prize goes to Lucas Greff of Elgin, N.D., who will receive a Bobcat 2200 utility vehicle, which he can put to use while re-establishing the family farm he grew up on.
Fifteen third-place winners receive Bobcat jackets for telling their stories.They are:
Raina Anderson, Holt, Mo.
Will Ashlin, Springfield, Mo.
Brian Becker Sr., Shushan, N.Y.
Daniel Bieger, Manassas, Va.
Jed Baum, Gardiner, N.Y.
Donna Cobain, Camp Creek, W.Va.
LuAnn Johnson, Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Mike Mitchell, Berlin, Mass.
Reg Patchell, Baltic, Conn.
Kenneth Rohlfing, Drakes Branch, Va.
Robert Rand Russell, Kerrville, Texas
Mike Sublett, Sanford, N.C.
David Stephens, St. Joseph, Mo.
Luis Vergara, Brooksville, Fla.
Charissa Wertz, Red Lion, Pa.