What a farmer wrote in the newly fallen snow left everyone stunned.
In the middle of South Dakota, where the land stretches endlessly and the sky feels impossibly wide, winter usually brings everything to a slow and quiet pause. Fields rest. Equipment sits idle. Life settles into stillness. But for the Prunty family, a fresh ten inch snowfall was not something to push aside or wait out. It was a chance to create something memorable and share it far beyond their corner of the prairie. Prunty Farms, a fifth generation operation that has endured more than a hundred years of harsh winters and changing times, unexpectedly became the focus of worldwide attention. Not because of crops or livestock, but because they turned a snow covered field into a canvas and a two ton tractor into an artist’s tool.
The idea, which the family later named “Deere Tracks,” took shape early one calm winter morning. The air was crisp and quiet, and the snow lay smooth and untouched across the land. Dan Prunty, a seasoned farmer whose days are usually filled with soil, steel, and engine grease, climbed into the cab of his trusted John Deere 6400. To anyone passing by, it might have looked like just another task on the farm. In reality, Dan had something far more creative in mind. With a vision rooted in holiday spirit and guided by surprising precision, he eased the tractor forward and began carving long, flowing cursive letters into the deep snow. Slowly, carefully, the words “Merry Christmas” emerged across the frozen field.
The scale of what he was doing was enormous. Writing in cursive is difficult enough with pen and paper. Doing it with heavy farm equipment requires exceptional control, patience, and awareness of space. There was no chance to erase mistakes or start over. One wrong turn would permanently disrupt the clean white surface and throw the entire message off balance. Dan had to keep his speed consistent and his turns exact, making sure each curve connected smoothly to the next so the letters would be readable from far above.
Recording this moment fell to his son, Adam Prunty. Over the years, Adam had taken on the role of documenting life on the farm, using drone footage to capture scenes most people never get to see. He knew that while the work was impressive from the ground, its true impact could only be seen from the air. As his father guided the tractor through the snow, Adam flew his drone high overhead, filming every movement in sharp detail. The finished footage showed a striking contrast. The bright green tractor looked almost tiny as it traced bold, dark lines through the vast white field, blending strength and grace in a way few expected.
The process behind “Deere Tracks” was remarkably simple and entirely manual. Adam later explained that nothing about it was automated. No GPS systems guided the tractor. No outlines or markers were placed in the snow. Before filming began, Adam walked the path himself, imagining each curve and spacing out the letters in his mind. When the time came, Dan relied on decades of experience behind the wheel to turn that mental plan into reality. What resulted was a form of tractor snow art that many people had never seen or even imagined before the Pruntys shared it online.
Once posted, the video quickly spread far beyond South Dakota. Millions of people watched it, shared it, and commented on it. The response sparked conversations about family, tradition, and how old ways of life can connect with modern tools. For many viewers, the video offered a reminder of the creativity and resilience found in rural communities. At a time when farming is often associated with scale and efficiency, “Deere Tracks” showed something more personal. It showed a father and son working together not to produce profit, but simply to bring a bit of joy during the holidays.
The project also reflected how farming itself is changing. By blending drone technology and social media with a long standing family operation, the Pruntys demonstrated how tradition and innovation can coexist. Farms that have lasted five generations are increasingly rare, surviving through determination and a willingness to adapt. Adam’s recordings offer people outside the agricultural world a glimpse into daily farm life, making it feel more personal and relatable. It shows that even the most traditional work can evolve without losing its soul.
The message carved into the snow was never meant to last. A strong wind or another snowfall would blur the edges and eventually erase it altogether. But the response it created has proven far more lasting. In the comments beneath the video, people from all walks of life connected over the beauty of a simple winter scene. The message resonated because it came from care, not obligation. It was a gesture made by a family that understands hard work and also understands the value of pausing to celebrate.
As Dan finished the final letter in “Christmas” and turned the tractor back toward the barn, the drone pulled back to reveal the full scope of what he had created. The words stretched hundreds of feet across the field, like a massive holiday card written in snow and sent out into the world. It was a reminder that creativity does not belong only in studios or galleries. Sometimes it lives in open fields, driven by diesel fuel and guided by someone who simply wanted to send warmth from his home to others. Prunty Farms may spend most of the year producing corn and raising cattle, but on that quiet December morning, their most meaningful harvest was the smiles and hope shared with millions who saw a message written across the South Dakota snow.
