By DENISE R. FREELAND
The Press-News
Bud Garner of Carrollton began collecting farm toys at a young age, especially 1/64-scale tractors, which were smaller, less expensive and easier to display, with his favorites being the old Case tractors.
According to his wife, Cheryl, farming is "in his blood and he breathes it, like every other farmer." Bud farmed with his father and grandfather for many years, having graduated from Buckeye Career Center, where he studied agriculture and diesel mechanics, served as an FFA officer, and was a 4-H and Steer Club member in his youth.
Bud's Farm Toys was founded in 1985 when Bud became a dealer for Ertl and Scale Models and he and Cheryl began selling toy tractors out of their basement, and this summer the hobby-turned-business celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Also in 1985, Bud began setting up displays at local festivals and county fairs, one of the first being at the Mining Festival in Cadiz, followed by the Harrison and Carroll County fairs. Eventually, he would display at all of the surrounding county fairs, as well as farm-toy shows, open markets, and steam shows in eight states.
"We used to store the toys in our garage, then on weekends, we would take the car seats out of our minivan and load up the toys to take to a show," Cheryl recalled. "We finally got smart and bought a trailer to store the toys in between shows. This made it much easier to go to shows and we could put the lawn mower back in the garage."
Bud's Farm Toys moved into its first retail space, on the square in downtown Carrollton, in 1990. Hours were limited and arranged around the Garners' work schedules at their other jobs and their daughters' schedules. Most of their business was still through show sales or mail order.
Cheryl eventually quit her other job to work full time in the store, which moved twice as it grew, before finding its current home at 75 W Main St. in Carrollton.
The store's inventory has increased greatly since its first years and includes a wide selection of farm toys and agriculture-related memorabilia. Bud offers many antique and collector's edition models and a variety of farm-related toys, such as Radio Flyer bikes and wagons, Breyer horses and accessories, Bruder trucks and oncstruction toys, Melissa and Doug's educational puzzles and wooden toys, Scale Model pedal tractors and more.
Bud's Farm Toys also does appraisals of farm-toy collections, provides information on restoring old farm toys, and can help collectors find discontinued toy tractor models.
"It's a passion of Bud's," Cheryl said. "To me, I think it helps educate people who haven't farmed and helps them remember where their food comes from."
Cheryl noted the store's clientele spans the generations, ranging from "grown-up kids" looking for collector -edition replicas of old-style tractors and who bring their children or grandchildren with them, to mothers who collected Breyer horses and bring their daughters in purchase models.
In August, Bud's Farm Toys will offer a customer-appreciation coupon good for 25 percent off one regularly priced 1/16-scale tractor or implement or any regularly priced children's Breyer model horse. Certain limits will apply and customers should call the store at 330-627-5343 for details.
"We enjoy sharing our enthusiasm for collecting farm toys with our customers," Cheryl said. "This hobby has enabled us to make many friends and see lots of interesting places over the years. Thanks to all of our friends and patrons for your faithful support over these past 25 years. We have been truly blessed."
Bud's Farm Toys is open Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. More information is available at http://budsfarmtoys.net.
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