It was a record-breaking year for the annual University of Guelph’s Tractor Tug for Tots.
Now in it’s 19th year, the event, organized by the Student Federation of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) raised more than $15,000 for the St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation Guelph, to support its Ontario Autism Program.
The tractor pull took place Nov. 4, 2025, on the university campus and saw 25 student teams compete, pulling two tractors across a 74-metre stretch.
“Not only did we break our community donation record, raising more money than ever this year, but we also had record student participation,” says Breanne Smith, this year’s Tractor Tug for Tots event chair.
Smith is currently in her fourth year at OAC studying Agriculture Sciences and hails from a family farm in Burford, Ont.
“Tractor Tug for Tots is my favourite event of the year because it’s so rewarding to know how many lives we can impact in such a positive way with the funds we raise.”
Each year, event organizers select a children’s charity to donate to within the Guelph area. Funds raised this year will be used to renovate a core space within the St. Joseph’s Health Centre to help children thrive and create a safe, engaging, and empowering environment for children and their caregivers.
“Hosting the event in the middle of the campus allows us to spread awareness for the charity and the agriculture community,” says Smith.
“It’s not every day you get to walk out of class and see tractors!”
This year, event tractors and lawn tractors were provided by Equipment Ontario and Premier Equipment, providing teams of eight to 10 students with the opportunity to show off their strength, teamwork and fundraising skills.
Participating teams competed in three categories: best pull, most money raised for sponsorship and best costume.
“The way we get to watch our campus and community come together to support a charity through Tractor Tug for Tots is a very beautiful thing,” says Smith.
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