B.C. farmer Nick Parsons received a hero's welcome as his combine chugged into Weyburn, Saturday, for a stop along a cross-Canada trek to Ottawa.

Parsons is driving his 20-year-old Massey Ferguson combine to the capital to raise awareness about the farm crisis and eventually meet with Prime Minister Jean Chretien - or at least cause a stir on Parliament Hill.

Nineteen days after embarking on his journey from his farm outside Dawson Creek, he was greeted in Weyburn with a crowd of over 100 supporters gathered in a parking lot along Government Road. They cheered as the combine, affectionately-named Prairie Belle, pulled in and Parsons emerged.

Organizers of the impromptu welcome had a truck and loudspeaker system set up for Parsons to address the crowd. But they had to wait 10 minutes as the shy farmer got his picture taken with admiring "fans" by the decorated combine, which is adorned with a huge sign in front, a wheat sheaf by the door, stickers from various towns along the sides and a painting of the grain elevator in Dawson Creek.

"Each and every one of us are living our own personal crisis. This fellow travelling across Canada in his combine is going to help to raise the profile of our own personal struggles," said Tribune farmer David Pattyson. "It's only right to come out and support him."

Parsons bought his 1,250-acre grain and oilseed operation in Canada 10 years ago after selling off his farm in Great Britain, where he was born and raised.

But like countless grain farmers in Western Canada, low prices have put him in a tough financial position. With no NISA money left in his account and growing anger at the federal government's response (or lack thereof) to the farm crisis, he set off on a very public mission.

Hundreds of conversations and media interviews later, Parsons is still uneasy in the spotlight.

"This is not really my cup of tea," he told the crowd as he took the mike. "But it's always nice to be welcomed like this. It makes a fella proud."

Parsons read from several letters he wrote to Chretien. He called the AIDA program "nothing but a farce" and said farmers have been left "facing ruin at the mercy of creditors" through no fault of their own.

He said Chretien's response, which he received 1,200 kilometres into his 4,000-km journey, did nothing to suppress his hope.

"His (public relations) people thanked me very much for my interest. They say it so bloody politely they might as well say I don't want to bloody see you," Parsons quipped.

"A dog can be kicked for so long when he is down but in the end he will bite," Parsons told the crowd. "We're not slaves, peasants or second-class citizens. We're all good, hard-working people who want to preserve our rural heritage."

During his short speech organizers passed around a hat as people stuffed 10 and 20 dollar bills into it. So far $8,500 has been raised in Saskatchewan for Parson's trek, to pay for his expenses on the road and when he gets to Ottawa.

Parsons got a special donation from Trossachs farmer Lynden Guest.

"Here's my AIDA cheque. I'll donate the whole thing to you," said Guest, as he handed Parsons the cheque for $8.46.

"That won't even buy a toilet roll," said Parsons. "I've heard about these but I've never seen them. That is disgusting."

"I hope it does you more good than it did me," Guest said.

That kind of support has been felt by Parsons all along his journey. Although he travels at a top-speed of 28-km an hour, motorists have been patient, waving, giving the thumbs-up and even stopping to talk.

Farmers along the way have been clamouring to provide Parsons with food, lodging and fuel. Two local producers fought over the chance to fill him up in Yellow Grass, but settled the friendly dispute by each filling half the tank.

As the crowd and main attraction moved inside the Weyburn Inn for coffee, a small group gathered around Parsons to ask questions and give their congratulations.

"Good work - I watch you on TV all the time," said Weyburn farmer Lloyd Culham as he shook the B.C. farmer's hand.

"You watch the combine - you like to see the Massey take off in a puff of smoke," joked Parsons.

"I want to go to the Parliament buildings and get Jean Chretien on that combine," he added.

"If you can't get him on it, get him under it," responded Weyburn producer Don Payak.

The farmers wanted to know how their colleague would get his combine home. He told them a machinery dealer was planning to transport it back to B.C. for him.

"I've got to get it back because my daughter said, 'You will bring Prairie Bell back, won't you daddy?' and I said, 'Of course I will.'"

Parsons' 14-year-old daughter drove the combine over 400 acres during her summer vacation.

"I hope to have my daughter flown to Ottawa," to help again, said Parsons - this time with his lobbying efforts. "I shan't try to stop her from taking over the farm. That's what this trek is all about - for rural life to continue and to give some stick to the government."