The U.S. Custom Harvesters Hall of Fame

INDUCTEES OF USCHI HALL OF FAME

Rick & Gary Farris - (2018)

Gene Farris, father to Rick and Gary, started with combines pulled by mules. During WWII, Gene joined Roosevelt Jones, an established cutter. Together they purchased two Massey 21s and joined the "Harvest Brigade" during the war.

When Gene's health started to fail, Robert Farris, Rick and Gary's older brother, took over the harvest business. Robert ran the harvest with Rick and Gary until he graduated from college and joined the military. Rick and Gary kept on harvesting and attended college. Gene passed away in 1964, leaving the harvesting business to Rick and Gary at their young ages. For roughly 30 years, Farris Brothers ran Massey Ferguson combines, Super 92s, 410s, 510s, 760s, and 860s. To this day Rick still believes those 860s could cut as many acres as his new Case IH combines.

Throughout the years, Rick and Gary have made many inventions that not only help them, but other cutters as well. These inventions include header booms, header trailers, combine trailers, aluminum truck boxes, utility beds, fuel tanks, pup trailers, grain trailers, and various small items. All have improved harvesters' efficiency and their equipment.

In 1980 Gary left the harvesting business to pursue a career in the welding shop. Gary has remarked that the hired help drove him crazy. But Gary didn't get too far from the business. He still spends many days and nights fixing equipment for Rick and other harvesters. Gary's shop is the place to go to get an idea built or a wreck rolling again.

After Gary left the business, Rick continued harvesting. He began doing experimental work with Massey Ferguson until they quit building combines in 1987. Rick then went looking for a new combine company at Hoxie Implement. With the help of Jerry Heim, Rick purchased four 1680s and became part of the Rotary Revolution.

In 1984, Rick joined the US Custom Harvesters organization and began his political career. He fought for property tax legislation, apportioned tags for harvesters, and more. He also worked to find insurance companies for harvesters. This led to USCHI starting their own safety program. Rick and others traveled across the wheat belt to put on programs that showed insurance companies that we really do care about safety. He also worked long and hard with the USDOT to maintain harvesters' driving exemptions still in place today. Rick still helps harvesters with DOT issues. Although Rick hasn't been President of USCHI since 1988, he remains very active in the organization. Rick also helps Case IH with their safety program in Frederick, OK, every year and runs experimental parts and combines for them.

Rick & Gary Farris