View from the Cab: Farm show time
By Kent Casson
Just like that, another farm show season is almost upon us as growers have finished most of their fall fieldwork.
It all starts this week as the latest in agriculture “plays in Peoria” as the Geater Peoria Farm Show returns to the Peoria Civic Center for the 41st year Nov. 28-30. This is always billed as the state’s largest indoor farm show with hundreds of exhibitors. The show is sponsored by Farmer’s Powering Communities.
Thanks to Farmer’s Business Network, we will all have free parking at the nearby Civic Center lots. The event itself is free to those attending and new this year is the Kubota tractor giveaway. Qualifiers will be drawn every day of the show for a chance at owning the Kubota BX Tractor Package from German-Bliss Equipment.
An Interactive Floor Plan is available from www.greaterpeoriafarmshow.com as it is a great way to plan your visit ahead of time. The traditional complimentary rolls and coffee will be served in the morning and Alwan’s Meats will be the lunch feature. The Illinois Department of Agriculture will host pesticide license testing, there is a daily $1,000 Show Bucks drawing and a daily 2024 ag market outlook seminar will be presented by Todd Hultman, lead analyst with DTN.
Hours for this week’s show are 9-4 Tuesday and Wednesday and 9-3 on Thursday at the Peoria Civic Center.
It won’t be long and we’ll be heading over to the Precision Planting Winter Conference in Tremont during January to find out the latest offerings from the company while being treated to a ribeye steak lunch and plenty of great information. Then, the Gordyville farm show is in late January near Gifford – often times during extreme winter weather which seems to bring out even more farmers.
Our family will once again be helping out with the annual convention of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs in January. This is always a highlight of our winter as the kids enjoy staying at the Crowne Plaza hotel with plenty of time spent at the indoor pool. It is always enjoyable to help emcee the entertainment showcase and cover the weekend’s activities.
Perhaps I’ll see you at one of these upcoming events over the winter. You’ll likely see me wandering with the Central Illinois Farm Network microphone looking to interview my next guest and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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