Last year's Tractor Relay Across Nebraska, which took a northern route across the state in late May and into early June, raised $10,766 that was donated to Operation Comfort Warriors. The 5th annual tractor relay, sponsored by the Nebraska Antique Farming Association, will take a more southern route this year following Nebraska Highway 2, starting and ending at National Monuments.

TRACTORS AWAY: TRAN drivers traveled a northern Nebraska route that included a brief stop in the village of Lindy during last year's annual trek across the state.

According to TRAN coordinator, Donelle Moormeier of Cortland, this year's trek will begin at Homestead National Monument near Beatrice on June 4. The TRAN ride will end on June 12 at Scottsbluff National Monument and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument on the other end of the state. Over the course of the weeklong trip, overnight stops will be made by drivers in Geneva, Hastings, St. Paul, Broken Bow, Thedford, Hyannis and Alliance.

Last year's relay set a record
Last year's fundraising efforts to the veteran support organization, OCW, were a record for a TRAN ride that consisted of 20 tractors and 28 drivers taking part in the entire distance, and over 100 drivers participating in at least one leg of the trip. OCW is a wounded warrior program that supports veterans and their families and is sponsored by the American Legion. Communities along the trip's distance raise funds for OCW and donate the funds to NAFA.

"Tractors from classic to modern will drive Highway 2 and tour Nebraska's National Monuments this year," Moormeier says. "The charge for this NAFA sponsored drive is only $20 per participant, in addition to a membership fee of $10 to NAFA." With the 2016 TRAN drive organized, the group is already looking to 2017 with a route that will help the state celebrate its 150th birthday, she says.

If you are interested in participating in this year's TRAN drive, you can contact Moormeier at 402-429-2480 or Howard Raymond at 308-650-1527.