Staff report

ELLSWORTH – The Showdown in Curdtown isn’t just any tractor and truck pull. It’s the main fundraiser for the Ellsworth FFA Alumni organization drawing more than 4,000 participants to the Pierce County Fairgrounds (364 N. Maple St., Ellsworth) each June.

This year’s event will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 11 with a rain date of June 12. Money raised from the event goes to supporting Ellsworth FFA members by providing ag classroom resources, funding FFA member leadership conferences, state and national FFA conventions, and provides Supervised Agriculture Experience grants and post-secondary scholarships.

“We also make monetary donations to local groups who work the tractor pull so they earn money to support their euorts as well," Ellsworth FFA Alumni member Mary Brand.

Since the Showdown in Curdtown event began 15 years ago, the Alumni have donated more than $140,000 to support Ellsworth agriculture students, school and community groups such as Ellsworth Area Ambulance, Knights of Columbus, neighboring FFA chapters, Boy Scouts, Ellsworth Fire Department, Lion’s Club, Pierce County DARE program and the EHS trap team.

The Ellsworth FFA Alumni’s mission statement says: “Ellsworth is a community steeped in the ag tradition and the Ellsworth FFA Alumni organization is a supporter of this agricultural lifestyle.

“We value the integral nature of FFA and agricultural education. We value agriculture as an essential part of society. We value diversity in serving all populations. We value the impact of a teacher on a student’s life. We value the impact and involvement of parents/ guardians and communities on a student’s life. We value the community’s support of ag- ricultural education teachers and programs." Alumni established the nonprofit in 2005. The event, co-hosted by the National Tractor Pullers Association and the Wisconsin Tractor Pullers Association, features eight pulling classes and attracts participants from across the country. Tickets are $20 for ages 13 and older, $12 for ages 6-12, and kids age 5 and under are free. You can purchase them ahead of time at www.showdownincurdtown.com To learn more about the event, email ells- [email protected] , visit the website or visit www.facebook.com/showdownincurdtown/ Showdown in Curdtown received the National Tractor Pull Association Regional National Pull of the Year in 2021, the WI Tractor Pull Association Region 3 Pull of the Year in 2021 and the WI Tractor Pull Association Promoter of the Year in 2021.

Anyone is welcome to join the Ellsworth FFA Alumni group. You do not need to be a farmer or FFA member, or have a job in the agriculture field. You just need to believe in the future of agriculture, the community and youth. The group meets the second Sunday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Ellsworth High School Ag Room (323 W. Hillcrest St.)