When a Tractor Becomes a Pen: A South Dakota Farm’s Snowy Message to the World
Fresh snowfall usually signals early mornings, cold hands, and extra work for farmers. But on one South Dakota field, it became something else entirely—a blank page waiting to be written on.
At Prunty Farms, a fifth-generation family operation, a quiet winter day turned into an unexpected viral moment. With nearly ten inches of untouched snow covering the land, farmer Dan Prunty climbed into his John Deere 6400 tractor and began driving with unusual intention.
Instead of plowing or hauling, he carefully traced looping paths across the field. From the ground, the pattern was hard to grasp. From the air, it was unmistakable.
“Merry Christmas” appeared in flowing cursive, stretching across the snow like a handwritten note to the sky.
The moment was captured by Dan’s son, Adam Prunty, who filmed the process using a drone. Adam, who has spent years documenting everyday farm life from above, explained that the design wasn’t generated by software or GPS guidance. He planned the route himself, practiced the pattern, and then guided his father through the freehand recreation. The tractor’s slow, deliberate movements brought the message to life stroke by stroke.
What resonated with viewers wasn’t just the scale or precision of the snowy artwork—it was the story behind it. The video highlighted a family working together, blending generations of farming knowledge with modern technology. Adam’s drone footage, usually used to show planting, harvesting, and the rhythms of rural life, offered a new perspective: farming as both craft and creative expression.
As the video spread online, it reminded audiences that innovation doesn’t always come from new inventions. Sometimes it comes from seeing familiar tools in a new way. A tractor, a snow-covered field, and a bit of imagination were all it took to turn a working farm into a seasonal work of art.
Conclusion
Prunty Farms’ snowy greeting is more than a holiday message—it’s a reminder that creativity can flourish anywhere, even in the quiet fields of winter. By combining tradition, family collaboration, and modern technology, the Pruntys showed that art doesn’t need a gallery and inspiration doesn’t need permission. Sometimes, all it takes is fresh snow and the courage to draw something beautiful across it.