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Farm News Ag Show is the place to be

Exhibits, informative talks and good food are all on the agenda

Even those with the most casual interest in agriculture will want to be on hand when the 15th annual Farm News Ag Show kicks off at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the 2031 Quail Ave. on the East Campus of Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. On Wednesday, the show is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It resumes at 7:30 a.m. Thursday and runs until 3 p.m.

The two-day Ag Show will showcase a wide array of agricultural products and services. More than 70 exhibitors will be on hand in the 30,000 square feet of show space. The range of their offerings is certain to be truly outstanding. Those who pay close attention to agricultural trends will find much on the show floor to expand their knowledge of options available today as well as those on the drawing boards for tomorrow.

The show will offer an exciting educational opportunity. Food for thought, of course, is at the core of a successful exhibition and this year’s show promises to meet that goal superbly. Featured speakers include:

• Kelvin Leibold, ISU Extension and Outreach farm and ag business management specialist, will speak from 9 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday and will discuss “Staying Competitive in a Global Market.” Leibold’s appearance is sponsored by Great Western Bank, Fort Dodge.

• Bob Streit, independent crop consultant and Farm News “Crop Watch” columnist, will speak from 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday and will discuss “Lessons from 2016 and the Challenges for 2017.” Streit’s appearance is sponsored by John Pitzer Sales.

• Jerry Nelson, author and Farm News “County Agent Guy” columnist will speak from 3 p.m. until 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday and will discuss “Dear County Agent Guy: The Story of an Accidental Author.” Nelson’s appearance is sponsored by United Bank of Iowa, Fort Dodge.

• Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University climatologist, will speak from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Thursday and will discuss “Weather outlook for 2017.” Taylor’s appearance is sponsored by Great Western Bank, Fort Dodge.

• David Kruse, president of CommStock Investments and author of the “CommStock Report,” will speak from 10:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Thursday and will discuss “Don’t Look Down … There is No Safety Net.”

• Steve Ferguson, Iowa Finance Authority Ag Program Specialist, will speak from 1 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. on Thursday and will discuss “Beginning Farmer Loan and Tax Credit Programs.” Ferguson’s appearance is sponsored by The Country Store.

Water will be served during the speaker presentations courtesy of Blue Ribbon Pelham Waters of Fort Dodge.

Intellectual stimulation will be complemented with an assortment of good food.

Lunch is available on site by the Webster County Pork Producers from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday and by the Webster County Beef Producers from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Meals will be served by the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Ag Leaders with the help of Iowa Central Community College agricultural students.

There will be a free pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday for the first 525 guests. The breakfast is catered by Chris Cakes and is sponsored by Farm Bureau Webster County.

There will be much to see and learn at the show, but there’s also the opportunity to win prizes. Those attending the show can register to win a Kubota, two-piece, 19-drawer toolbox, valued at more than $2,300. The toolbox is provided by R & J Material Handling, Fort Dodge, and Farm News.

Farm News Ag Show partners include Iowa Central Community College, Farm Bureau Webster County, R & J Material Handling, Great Western Bank/Fort Dodge, United Bank of Iowa/Fort Dodge, John Pitzer Sales, The Country Store, Farm Financial Strategies, Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, Blue Ribbon Pelham Waters, Webster County ISU Extension, Webster County Pork Producers and the Webster County Beef Producers.

The Farm News Ag Show 2016 promises to be a splendid opportunity for education, good conversation, some outstanding food and just plain fun.

See you there.

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