Ag Expo in February

The 2018 Spokane Ag Expo and Pacific Northwest Farm Forum is scheduled for their three-day event for February 6-8, 2018 at the Spokane Convention Center. The largest farm machinery show in the Inland Northwest will host 300 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 41 years.

Spokane Ag Expo will again fill the Spokane Convention Center. Every foot of the 120,000 square foot exhibit hall will be ready to welcome over 5,000 visitors. 300 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 63 years, the Pacific Northwest Farm Forum has produced seminars ranging across a wide spectrum of current topics of interest to both full-time and part-time farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers. The opening session of The Pacific Northwest Farm Forum begins Tuesday morning, February 6 at 9 a.m. with Dr. Art Douglas, retired Professor Emeritus, Atmospheric Science Department, Creighton University, presenting his “2018 Forecast for Weather Conditions in the Pacific Northwest” and “The Impact of Climate Change.” Also at the opening session, Ag Expo will announce the winners in the annual ‘Excellence in Agriculture’ Awards. Winners in three categories, Youth, Business/Organization and the Legacy Award are chosen from received nominations and their returned questionnaires received late this fall.

On Wednesday, February 7 at 9 a.m., in the Convention Center’s Centennial Ballroom, Pacific Northwest Farm Forum hosts Michael Krueger, President of The Farm Money, a marketing advisory company that for over 30 years has worked with farmers and companies associated with agriculture with his outlook on the agricultural economy.

On Thursday, February 8, at 9 a.m. regional FFA chapters will meet and listen to motivational speaker Amberley Snyder, who has turned tragedy into living full each day. Amberley fought her way back from a tragic rollover vehicle accident in January 2010 that left her paralyzed from the waist down. She now inspires thousands across America by telling her story and still competing in rodeos across the western United States. Also on Thursday at 11:30 a.m., the Honorable Sonny Purdue, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, has been invited to speak about his vision for the future of agriculture in America. At this time, Pacific Northwest Farm Forum has yet to receive confirmation of that invitation but is hopeful that Secretary Purdue will be able to include it in his busy schedule.

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. The seminars are scheduled for Tuesday, February 6, noon to 4 p.m. and Wednesday, February 7, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For complete times and topic schedule of the seminars, visit the shows website at http://www.agshow.org. All of the seminars will be held in the Convention Center’s breakout rooms on the upper level just off of the exhibition floor and main speaker sessions will be presented in the Centennial Ballroom on the lower level of the Convention Center.

The Kids Creative Corner is back for another year showcasing creative displays of artwork from kids up to the age of 17 from all over our area. Awards will be given for Best of Show, Most Creative and Show Director’s Choice.

Free parking is available at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena Parking Lot with also free, round-trip shuttle bus service to and from the Spokane Convention Center. Spokane Ag Expo is open to the public on Tuesday, February 6 and Wednesday, February 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on the final day of the show, Thursday, February 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Discount tickets good for all three days of the show will again be available at participating area North 40 Outfitter stores. They remain at just $8 for adults and include admission to the exhibit floor, speakers and seminars.

For all detailed information regarding the 2018 Spokane Ag Expo and Pacific Northwest Farm Forum, visit http://www.agshow.org and follow Spokane Ag Expo on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.