Massey Ferguson has signed a collaboration agreement with Farmyard Stories Ltd by Anne Thowsen and Morten Myklebust to take the legendary Little Grey Fergie tractor’s story around the globe.

The children’s character Little Grey Fergie, based on the original Ferguson TE 20, is renowned in Norway, where over the last 20 years the original story of his adventures created and written by Morten Myklebust has grown into two hit feature films, a TV series, several stage shows and a series of DVDs.

Little Grey Fergie has already become a film and TV icon to rival Thomas the Tank Engine and Lightning McQueen, and the full-size live-action tractor films have had a phenomenal 20 million hits online (www.littlegreyfergie.com).

The story has even inspired a theme park attraction. The Land of the Little Grey Fergie – Gråtassland – opened in grand style at the Kongeparken in Stavanger, Norway on 4th June. Massey Ferguson Norwegian dealer – Eiksenteret – and the dealership chain are key partners in this exciting new project along with production company Farmyard Stories Ltd (Fantasifabrikken A/S in Norway).

Visitors are welcomed by Little Grey Fergie himself and can also meet farm animals at the petting zoo. An exciting tractor ride takes visitors through the captivating story of Little Grey Fergie and his friends. There is also the chance to experience one of the very latest Massey Ferguson tractors especially adapted for children.

The attraction’s Village Shop received the theme park Brass Ring Award in the category ‘Best Merchandise Display’ and Little Grey Fergie Land has also been nominated to the THEA-Awards, another acclaimed theme park award.

With the opening of Gråtassland in Stavanger, the Ferguson TE 20 is effectively returning to its origins in Norway. More than 60 years ago, Christian Eik started to import the tractor into the country from England. His pioneering work played an important part in laying the foundations for mechanised agriculture in Norway.

Now the Little Grey Fergie stories, which educate children about farming and country life as well as entertaining them, are being enjoyed by youngsters around the world.

Campbell Scott, Director Sales Engineering and MF Brand Development said: “The Ferguson TE20 is a much loved part of Massey Ferguson’s heritage, and indeed that of the farming industry as a whole. We are delighted that the legend will live on through the theme park and the continuing series of films, as it provides the perfect opportunity to educate the next generation on the crucial role of farming and farm machinery.”

The influence of the TE 20 - Little Grey Fergie - continues today: it was famously used 56 years ago by Sir Edmund Hillary for his polar expedition, which in 2014 inspired the incredible journey to Antarctica made by Dutch film-maker Manon Ossevoort in an MF5610. The Antarctica2 mission made the 2500km trip in 17 days, enduring temperatures down to minus 56c.

“The modern world is necessarily preoccupied with technology, and the Little Grey Fergie story continues with our latest range of machinery which embraces this technology to achieve amazing feats and create legends, such as the recent mission to Antarctica in a MF5610 that was supported by Massey Ferguson and other leading industry bodies.”

“The mission’s message #believeinit reflects the fact that the first journey to the South Pole in a Ferguson TE20, by Sir Edmund Hillary, inspired the Antarctica2 team to make their own successful bid. We hope that the Little Grey Fergie will continue to inspire future generations of farmers and adventurers.”