MSOE students convert tractor engine for Fondy Farm
| Published: 06/06/2012 |
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On Saturday, June 9, Fondy Food Center (Milwaukee) will dedicate a new electric motor designed and installed by Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) students on the Center’s 1950s era Allis Chalmers G tractor. Brady Corp. (Milwaukee) funded the conversion project. The tractor, which is operated by farmers participating in the Center’s Fondy Farm Project in Port Washington, had a non-functioning gasoline engine. The converted motor is powered by a 48-volt battery, significantly quieter than its gasoline predecessor, and extremely fuel efficient (just $6 a year in fuel costs). The dedication will take place Saturday, June 9 at 10 am at Fondy’s Port Washington farm.
The work was completed by students Jordan Balcerzak (mechanical engineering), Alex Rode (business management) and Andy Stoginski (management information systems). Alumnus James Connelly ’05 donated his time and tools to the project, and allowed the students to work on the tractor in his garage.
The conversion to an electric motor has a far-reaching impact, from the farmers using the tractor to the local ecosystem to families who purchase food directly from these farmers at the Fondy Farmers Market. This aspect, together with giving students at MSOE an innovative engineering and design opportunity, appealed to project sponsor Brady Corporation Foundation. "The mission of the Brady Corp. Foundation is to protect our future through partnerships that build strong and sustainable communities where we live and work - and this project is a great example of our mission in action,” explains Steve Hasbrook, Brady’s director of sustainability. “It was an excellent opportunity to introduce and educate engineering students on real-life applications that minimize air and noise pollution, support local economies, and ensure the long-term availability of high-quality, locally grown food to residents on Milwaukee’s north side, many of whom do not have regular access to affordable, fresh, locally grown food.”
Dr. David Howell, associate professor in MSOE’s General Studies Department and Pieper Family Endowed Chair for Servant-Leadership at MSOE, is also the academic coordinator for the Fondy tractor conversion project. “The students working on this conversion gained real-life insight into applications for electrical and mechanical engineering,” explains Dr. Howell. “This project also presents a potential business opportunity as skyrocketing demand for local, sustainably grown food is calling more people to farm on a small scale. These farmers will need innovative, specialized machinery like this tractor. The service component is also particularly meaningful for our students. Many of the farmers participating in the Fondy Farm Project are immigrant and minority farmers who have faced considerable language and cultural obstacles in achieving their dreams. By giving these farmers a high-functioning tractor, our students help those farmers succeed. This in turn increases the availability of locally grown food to families living on Milwaukee’s North Side.”
According to Stephen Petro, Fondy Farm Project director, “An electric motor not only will save us significant fuel costs but it will also allow our farmers to control speed more precisely – vital when weeding or planting small-seeded vegetables like lettuce. And with less moving parts – no carburetor, no radiator, and no clutch – the tractor will be much more reliable and easier to use for our farmers.”
About the Fondy Food Center
The Fondy Food Center manages two programs: the Fondy Farmers Market at 2200 W. Fond du Lac Avenue, Milwaukee, and the Fondy Farm Project, an 80-acre farm in Port Washington. The Fondy Farmers Market is a seasonal, producers only, 48,000-sq. food open air market with a permanent roof. Approximately 30 local farmers and vendors sell at the Market, serving up to 2,500 customers a week. The Fondy Farm Project was established in 2011 to address the declining availability of affordable, long-term farmland leases, insufficient agricultural infrastructure and equipment, and limited business skill sets of many of the Market’s farmers. Nearly 94% of the Market’s farmers are low-income Hmong immigrants. The Fondy Farm Project gives participating farmers access to affordable, long-term, high-quality farmland plus the amenities they need to succeed. This includes irrigation, greenhouses, tractors, and assistance with business practices and cost-accounting. Currently there are 10 farmers participating in the Farm. Last year the farmers harvested approximately 370,000 pounds of food, with nearly all of it sold at the Fondy Farmers Market.
About MSOE
MSOE is an independent, non-profit university with about 2,500 students. MSOE offers 18 bachelor’s degrees and nine master’s degrees in the engineering, engineering technology, building and infrastructure engineering, health-related engineering, computer, business and nursing fields. The university has a national academic reputation; longstanding ties to business and industry; dedicated professors with real-world experience; and extremely high placement rates and the highest starting salaries of any Wisconsin university according to PayScale Inc. MSOE graduates are well-rounded, technologically experienced and highly productive professionals and leaders.
About Brady Corp.
Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete solutions that identify and protect premises, products and people. Its products help customers increase safety, security, productivity and performance and include high-performance labels and signs, safety devices, printing systems and software, and precision die-cut materials. Founded in 1914, Brady has millions of customers in electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, education, medical and a variety of other industries. The company is headquartered in Milwaukee and as of July 31, 2011 employed approximately 6,500 people in operations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Brady’s fiscal 2011 sales were approximately $1.34 billion. More information is available at www.bradycorp.com.