Dean & Mary Voris Branch 16

Dean has managed one of the mowing teams for many years. At the old showgrounds, the mowing teams are groups of individuals responsible for mowing, picking up sticks, spraying for weeds and any other grounds maintenance that needs to be addressed at the time. These mowing teams typically take 2-3 turns per year taking care of the grounds. 

At our annual swap meet, Dean has collected booth fees and Mary assisted in the concession stand when the club ran concessions for the event.

 Both Dean and Mary have volunteered countless hours assisting with getting equipment ready to be moved from the old grounds to the new grounds. Our club owns multiple pieces of equipment – this was no easy chore. 

One of the volunteer activities at the new grounds was helping to restore and paint the original homestead that was built in the 1870’s. Mary was right there helping scrape paint and making sure the house looked the best possible for the 2023 show. In addition to working on the homestead, Mary helped assemble and paint picnic tables for use during the annual show. 

During our annual show, Dean and Mary bring their barrel train and spend all day Friday and Saturday giving children a ride. Dean typically drives the Allis Chalmers IB and Mary rides in the caboose, keeping an eye on the children to make sure they are safe. There are 11 cars for the children to ride in. The barrel train starts at 9am and runs non-stop until 4pm, allowing hundreds of children to ride the train. Dean and Mary donate the use of their personal barrel train and multiple hours so the children have a good experience. 

After operating the barrel train all day, Dean volunteers at the Classic Tractor Pull and is kept busy until the wee hours of the morning, making sure all the tractors get a chance to pull. 

In addition to being active members of EDGETA Branch 16, Mary and Dean are active members of the Missouri Massey Collectors Association and the Missouri Allis Chalmers Club. 

 Dean and Mary attend tractor shows in multiple states and take working displays to the various shows. Dean and Mary have won multiple trophies for their working displays, including Best Unrestored Tractor at the Route 66 Flywheelers Club show in Catoosa, OK this year. I

t is very important to both Dean and Mary to have working displays at the various tractor shows so they can show younger attendees how this equipment works and why it’s important. Dean and Mary have worked to educate our youth about their farming heritage their entire lives and it is evident when you see their grandchildren out helping at the shows and on the farm. 

One of the pieces of equipment Dean and Mary take to multiple shows is their New Holland SP166 self- propelled baler. Dean has fun showing kids and adults how a self-propelled baler works by baling the straw left after a straw scramble. 

Dean and Mary also host an annual event at their home every May – the Voris Fish Fry. There are typically 100-150 people from multiple states in attendance. Attendees will see 100+ tractors on display and being used in demonstrations. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in the demonstrations and to ride the barrel train. 

While Dean and Mary’s collection includes mainly Allis Chalmers & Massey Harris tractors and implements, there are also a few John Deere’s scattered in. Some of the highlights include a vast collection of classic Allis Chalmers tractors, Allis Chalmers IB, Massey Harris GPs, New Holland SP166 self-propelled balers, John Deere corn crib wagon lifts, John Deere Waterloo Boy Cement Mixer and a Dodge Truckster (a truck with a tractor rear-end). 

Mary and Dean are dedicated to the success of EDGETA Branch 16 and the education of our youth about their farming heritage. Dean and Mary are a vital part of EDGETA Branch 16 and deserve to be recognized by EDGETA as Hall of Fame members.