Monroe Township near Hastings in Richland County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ferguson TO 20
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 5, 2025
1. Ferguson To 20 Marker
This Ferguson model TO 20 tractor is exactly like one of the tractors that Louis Bromfield and his staff used to cultivate, plant and harvest crops at Malabar Farm from the late 1940's through 1956.
Bromfield's nationwide popularity as an author and agricultural expert brought attention to conservation and sustainable agriculture as he worked "The Most Famous Farm in America," Malabar Farm.
Bromfield had developed a working relationship with Harry Ferguson, the inventor of the Ferguson TO 20 tractor and other farm implements. Ferguson was the former partner of Henry Ford, together they had produced the popular Ford/Ferguson Tractor. After Ford & Ferguson severed ties, Bromfield and Ferguson had coordinated an agreement where Bromfield wrote a pamphlet extolling the virtues of Ferguson equipment called "The Wealth of the Soil." Because of Bromfield's strong presence in the agricultural community, the pamphlet was a huge success and Harry Ferguson provided Bromfield with an unlimited supply of Ferguson equipment for Malabar Farm.
From that time on, Louis Bromfield exclusively used Ferguson equipment. When he passed away in 1956, it was only a matter of days before the Ferguson Company arrived at Malabar to reclaim the equipment they had 'loaned' to Malabar Farm.
Erected by
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.
Location. 40° 39.127′ N, 82° 23.942′ W. Marker is near Hastings, Ohio, in Richland County. It is in Monroe Township. It is at the intersection of Bromfield Road and Pleasant Valley Road (County Route 303), on the right when traveling south on Bromfield Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4050 Bromfield Rd, Lucas OH 44843, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hit the Trails! (here, next to this marker); Louis Bromfield / Malabar Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Ohio Department of Natural Resources 75th Anniversary (within shouting distance of this marker); Malabar's Smokehouse (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Malabar Farm (about 600 feet away); Director James Zehringer (about 600 feet away); The Big House at Malabar Farm (about 700 feet away); Louis Bromfield's Big House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hastings.
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 5, 2025
2. Ferguson To 20 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 84 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 10, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
