Ford Motor Company’s impact on agriculture runs deep. Long before “precision farming” and modern ag-tech were buzzwords, Ford was helping farmers do more work with less labor, lower cost, and better reliability. From the first mass-produced tractors that transformed rural America to Henry Ford’s bold push to connect farming with industry through soy-based materials, Ford has spent more than 100 years supporting the people who feed the world.
At Chuck Anderson Ford in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, we’re proud to represent a brand with roots not just on highways, but on backroads and farm fields across the country. Here’s the story of how Ford became one of the most influential names in agricultural history.
Chuck Anderson Ford
1910 W Jesse James Road, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
816-648-6419 | www.chuckandersonford.com
Built on Integrity. Backed by Family.
The Fordson Revolution: Tractors for the Everyday Farmer
Ford’s agricultural story begins in the 1910s with a breakthrough that changed farming forever: the Fordson Model F tractor. Introduced in 1917, the Fordson was built on the same philosophy that made the Model T famous — mass production, affordable pricing, and durable design. Ford didn’t invent the tractor, but it made tractors accessible to average farmers who previously relied on horses or expensive, low-volume machines.
The Fordson became a powerhouse in North America and Europe, helping farms scale up quickly during a period when food production was critical. Its success laid the groundwork for Ford’s next great agricultural leap.
The Ford-Ferguson Partnership and the Three-Point Hitch
In the late 1930s, Henry Ford re-entered the U.S. tractor market with a collaboration that would define tractor engineering for generations: the Ford-Ferguson system.
The 1939 Ford 9N introduced two industry-shaping features in one affordable tractor:
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The three-point hitch, which allowed implements to be raised, lowered, and stabilized as part of the tractor itself
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A rear PTO (power take-off) that provided standardized power for tools and attachments
The three-point hitch was revolutionary. It improved safety, efficiency, and implement control so dramatically that it became the global standard still used on most tractors today.
The N-Series Era: 9N, 2N, and the Legendary 8N
Ford followed the 9N with a wartime-simplified 2N and then launched the tractor many still consider the most iconic working machine ever built: the Ford 8N.
Produced from 1947–1952, the 8N added more power, a 4-speed transmission, and improved hydraulics. In North America, it became one of the most beloved and widely used tractors of all time — and many are still running on farms today.
This era cemented Ford as a farmer’s brand: practical, dependable, and engineered for real work.
“Farm to Factory”: Henry Ford’s Soybean Vision
Ford’s role in agriculture wasn’t only about tractors. Henry Ford believed in what he called chemurgy — the idea that farm crops could be used to make industrial products, creating new income streams for farmers.
Starting in the early 1930s, Ford invested heavily in soy research. He championed soybeans as a bridge between agriculture and manufacturing. Ford engineers used soy-based materials in paint, plastics, and interior components, and in 1941 Ford unveiled a famous concept car with a body made largely from soybean plastic.
The goal was simple: help farmers by expanding markets for crops while reducing reliance on petroleum-based materials. Even though WWII interrupted the program, Ford’s soybean work became an early blueprint for modern bio-materials and sustainability.
Ford Tractors Grow Into a Global Brand
After the N-series, Ford continued building tractors through the Golden Jubilee era and the later 600/800/1000-series machines, evolving power, hydraulics, and comfort through the 1950s–1970s.
Ford tractors gained a reputation for:
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Easy serviceability
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Reliable gas and diesel powertrains
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Practical features for smaller and mid-size farms
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Strong dealer support
These tractors weren’t luxury machines. They were built for long days and hard seasons.
Ford-New Holland: Expanding Equipment and Innovation
A major milestone came in 1986, when Ford acquired New Holland, pairing Ford’s tractor legacy with New Holland’s agricultural equipment expertise. The combined brand became Ford-New Holland, producing tractors and equipment that served farms worldwide.
This era expanded Ford’s ag footprint far beyond tractors into hay tools, harvesting equipment, and advanced farm machinery — further strengthening Ford’s presence in agriculture before Ford eventually exited direct tractor production and the New Holland brand continued forward.
Ford’s Agricultural DNA Still Lives in Today’s Vehicles
Even though Ford no longer builds tractors under the Ford badge, Ford’s agricultural influence is alive and well in today’s trucks and commercial vehicles. Farms still depend on Ford for:
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F-150 and Super Duty pickups for towing, payload, and daily work
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Transit vans for mobile tools, deliveries, and crew transport
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PowerBoost hybrids and efficient drivetrains to reduce operating costs
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Durability engineered for rural and off-road environments
Living here in Missouri, we see it constantly: modern agriculture runs on dependable pickups as much as it runs on equipment. Ford’s farm mindset never left — it just moved into the vehicles that support agriculture today.
Why This History Matters at Chuck Anderson Ford
At Chuck Anderson Ford, we respect the Ford agricultural legacy because it matches what our customers value: capability, honesty, and hard-earned trust.
We serve drivers who work the land, run rural businesses, tow equipment, and depend on their vehicle every day. And when you choose Ford, you’re choosing a company that has been building for farmers for more than a century — from the Fordson to the 8N to the Super Duty trucks of today.
If you’re ready for a pickup or SUV that carries that same agricultural toughness and ingenuity, we’re here to help you find the right Ford for your life and work.
Chuck Anderson Ford
1910 W Jesse James Road, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
816-648-6419 | www.chuckandersonford.com
Serving Excelsior Springs, Liberty, Lawson, Kearney, and Kansas City, MO.
Built on Integrity. Backed by Family.