Cotton Picker Factory Story

News Brief: R. L. Crouse
Agri-Artist TM R. L. Crouse trucks to
John Deere’s cotton picker factory:

Where does a company like John Deere go to have their factory’s
50th Anniversary recorded into art?
They call on America’s leading Agri-Artist TM R. L. Crouse at (970) 656-3768.
John Deere Des Moines Works was going to have a celebration
after 50 Years of production. General Manager, Dick White
had the vision to record the factory
and the people into a Collector’s Art Print composition.
The first step was to schedule the artist for a VIP visit.
Crouse boarded Bi-State Machinery’s truck along with driver
Dan York.

They headed out of Colorado on Hwy 36 loaded with
a used John Deere Iron Horse 4WD. You see, the artist
wanted to treasure the experience.
Another Jet trip just wouldn’t be the same.
“...I have the need to see the land and the people
leading to the factory. To listen to the stories from the truckers
moving the Iron – to experience the wait at the truck stop
until catching the next truck from York, NE.
Plains Power & Equipment.
These drivers were headed to Waterloo, but were willing to
help me get to Des Moines”. The artist arrived on schedule
to tour the factory. Chris Gleason asked Crouse where do you start.
Crouse replied he would like a visitor tour, then the
following day receive a VIP tour from a senior retiree.
This second tour took Crouse into areas few people ever see.
He listened to stories from the past, talked with workers,
searching for the composition.
Then Crouse visited the archives for pictures and stories
of the past. Then it all started to form an image in his mind… then some sketches…
Deere wanted the factory’s product line to be included,
union workers on the line and corporate people
communicating details. The last request was
the facility itself. Deere had purchased the original site from the
US Government in 1946. Several of the buildings
are still in use today. We would like for you to enjoy seeing the final painting.
John Deere Des Moines Works commissioned 3,000 prints,
signed and numbered by the artist for the
50th Anniversary Celebration.
Each of the corporate, union, and retiree acquired the
composition. These prints have become very collectable today.

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