As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, John Deere has announced a new multi-year partnership with Major League Baseball, positioning the manufacturer as the Official Tractor of MLB.
The agreement brings together two long-established American institutions, linking John Deere’s heritage in agriculture and land stewardship with baseball’s deep cultural roots across communities nationwide. The partnership will focus on celebrating the often-overlooked work behind maintaining the spaces where the sport is played—from professional ballparks to local fields and backyards.
Spotlighting the people behind the game
Central to the collaboration is a new creative campaign that highlights the role of groundskeepers, landscapers and communities in preparing and maintaining playing surfaces throughout the baseball season.
John Deere said the initiative will showcase how its equipment supports the upkeep of green spaces across the country, reinforcing its long-standing association with land care and community infrastructure.
Jon Chase, Head of Turf and Utility Equipment at John Deere, framed the partnership as an extension of the company’s historic mission.
“For nearly two centuries, John Deere has stood alongside the hard-working, dedicated people who care for the land and who build our communities. Now, through our partnership with Major League Baseball, we’re able to celebrate America’s favorite pastime… and the people who show up every day to build and grow America.”
– Jon Chase, Head of Turf and Utility Equipment, John Deere.
Activation across major MLB events
The partnership will be supported by a 360-degree multimedia campaign, spanning digital and broadcast channels, as well as on-the-ground activations at key events during the 2026 season.
These include the MLB at Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa, a symbolic location in the heart of John Deere country, as well as MLB All-Star Week in Philadelphia.
The Field of Dreams event, in particular, underscores the shared heritage between agriculture and baseball, bringing the sport back to its rural roots.
Aligning heritage brands around a national milestone
For MLB, the partnership forms part of a broader effort to align the league with brands that reflect everyday American life as the country marks its semiquincentennial.
Uzma Rawn Dowler, MLB’s Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Partnerships, said the collaboration connects two organisations embedded in the national identity.
“Baseball has always been deeply connected to America. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, partnering with John Deere brings together two brands that are truly woven into the fabric of this country.”
– Uzma Rawn Dowler, MLB’s Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Partnerships.
Manufacturing meets cultural relevance
Beyond branding, the partnership reflects a wider trend of manufacturers seeking greater cultural visibility by aligning with major sports and national events.
For John Deere, the deal reinforces its position not just as an agricultural machinery producer, but as a broader contributor to the maintenance of public and private spaces—from farms to sports fields—where everyday life unfolds.
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