Hundreds of farmers, ranchers, growers and industry leaders gathered at the White House last week to celebrate National Agriculture Day.
Iowa farmer Ben Riensche, who attended the celebration, noted the overwhelming sense of community on the South Lawn.
“It was an amazing celebration,” Riensche describes. “It just grabbed you, pulled you in and embraced you that you were on the lawn of the White House.”
Standing prominently to the left of the President’s platform was the event’s unofficial star: a golden tractor. The tractor’s presence was a fitting symbol for an event defined by its deep agricultural roots.
While the celebration featured several major policy announcements, the tractor — outfitted with bright red tires and a window mural depicting a farm worker with a child — frequently stole the show. It was showcased in various iconic locations across the grounds, most notably near center stage at the base of the White House steps.
“We all knew President Trump likes gold, so that was a plus,” says Brandon Montgomery, senior brand manager for Fendt.
The golden machine also served as a showcase for American manufacturing. Although Fendt was originally founded in Germany in 1930 and later acquired by AGCO Corporation in 1997, it now maintains a significant American footprint with factories in Minnesota and Kansas. This specific tractor, manufactured at AGCO’s Fendt facility in Jackson, Minn., is composed of nearly 100% American-made parts.
The vehicle has a storied recent history. It made its public debut at last year’s Commodity Classic, where Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins added the first signature to its frame. From there, it traveled to the U.S. Capitol at the Great American Farmers Market in 2025, collecting signatures from notable figures including Ambassador Monica Crowley, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Lara Trump. After a stop at the National FFA Convention, it received its final invitation to the White House.
“It was a celebration of American farmers, American manufacturing, and our ’Gold Star’ customer care,” Montgomery explains.
While President Trump did not sign the tractor himself, Fendt presented him with a miniature scale model of the golden machine.
In an ironic twist, the tractor has been sold and is now bound for Europe. However, its legacy will remain in the United States. AGCO is retaining the signature-covered hood, which will return to the Jackson facility where its journey began. The impact of the display is already being felt, as Montgomery noted that several farmers have already called asking how they can secure a golden tractor of their own.
