Ag Expo and Farm Forum set to go

The 2013 Spokane Ag Expo and Pacific Northwest Farm Forum scheduled for February 5-7, 2013 at the Spokane Convention Center Complex is only two months away. The largest farm machinery show in the Inland Northwest will host 250 exhibitors and conduct 36 educational seminars and forums relating to agri-business from large-scale operations to small acreage farms and ranches. Exhibitors will range from large farm equipment manufacturers and service providers to businesses catering to small acreage and part-time farmers who hold down other jobs while also running their family farms. Spokane Ag Expo has been bringing agri-businesses and farmers together for 36 years.

Spokane Ag Expo will again fill the Spokane Convention Center adjacent to the Spokane DoubleTree Hotel. Every foot of the 100,000 square foot exhibit hall will be ready to welcome over 5,000 visitors. Over 250 exhibitors including large and small acreage equipment dealers and a host of agri-business service providers with the latest in farming innovations will be on hand to talk the business of agriculture with attendees.

For 59 years, the Pacific Northwest Farm Forum has scheduled seminars ranging across a wide spectrum of current topics of interest to both full-time and part-time farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers. This year’s seminars are scheduled for Tuesday, February 5, noon–4:00 p.m .; Wednesday, February 6 from 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m .; and Thursday, February 7, 10:30 a.m.–noon. For a complete time and topic schedule of the seminars, visit the Spokane Ag Expo website at http://www.agshow.org.

The opening session of The Pacific Northwest Farm Forum on Tuesday morning, 2/5 at 9 a.m., hosts Dr. Art Douglas, retired Professor Emeritus, Atmospheric Science Department, Creighton University, presenting his “2013 Forecast for Weather Conditions in the Pacific Northwest”. Joining Dr. Douglas will be Jim Fitzgerald, Executive Director, Far West Agribusiness Association presenting “Today's Facts, Tomorrow's Plan: The Realities (or Challenges) of Today and the Opportunities of Tomorrow.” This main session takes place in the DoubleTree Hotel Ballroom in Salon IV.

On Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 9 a.m. in the DoubleTree Main Ballroom Salon IV, Kevin Van Trump, President of Farm Direction, will address the current agriculture markets with his analysis of what is changing and how to better manage the risks in the world marketplace.

Pacific Northwest Farm Forum is also offering 36 educational seminars scheduled to include topics relating to cattle, marketing crops and livestock, small farm planning and marketing, tax and estate planning and several recertification courses. View all the seminar topics and scheduled times by going on-line to Spokane Ag Expo’s website at http://www.agshow.org. All seminars and speaker events will be presented in the various meeting rooms at the DoubleTree Hotel adjacent to the Convention Center.

Free parking is available at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena parking lot with free, round-trip shuttle bus service to the Spokane Convention Center Complex. Spokane Ag Expo is open to the public on Tuesday, Feb. 5 and Wednesday, Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on the final day of the show, Thursday, Feb. 7, from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m.

For all detailed information regarding the 2013 Spokane Ag Expo and Pacific Northwest Farm Forum, visit their website at: http://www.agshow.org.