Even those with the most casual interest in agriculture will want to be on hand when the 16th annual Farm News Ag Show kicks off 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. A diverse array of more than 75 exhibitors will be on hand in the 30,000 square feet of show space. The range of their offerings will 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. Here are some of the speakers the show will feature:

Kelvin Leibold, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach farm and ag business management specialist, will speak from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Wednesday. Leibold will discuss “Global Agriculture — What’s Happening; What’s Next?”

Matt Helmers, who is with ag and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University, will speak from 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday. He will discuss “Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy: What Practices and How Much.” Helmer’s appearance is sponsored by The Country Store.

Ernie Goss, professor of economics at Creighton University and director of Goss Institute, will speak from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Wednesday and discuss “The Farm Economy, Exports, and Federal Reserve Policies: The Outlook Based on Rural Bank CEOs.” Goss’ appearance is sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America, Webster City.

Marji Alaniz, president and founder of FarmHer, will speak from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday. This presentation is titled “Shining a Light on Women in Agriculture.”

Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University climatologist, will speak from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday and will discuss “Weather Outlook for 2018.” Taylor’s appearance is sponsored by United Bank of Iowa, Fort Dodge.

David Kruse, president of CommStock Investments and author of the CommStock Report, will speak from 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday. His talk is titled “When Persistence Pays — It’s Time to get Stubborn.” Kruse’s appearance is sponsored by John Pitzer Sales.

Dr. Charles Hurburgh, an ISU professor of agriculture and biosystems engineering, will speak from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Thursday. He will discuss “Crop Quality Management for the 2017 Harvest.”

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 Ambassadors with the help of Iowa Central Community College agricultural students.

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

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 one of two Kubota two-piece, 12-drawer toolboxes valued at $1,300 each. The toolboxes are provided by R & J Material Handling, Fort Dodge, and Farm News. There will also be a Farm News raffle with a chance win one of two half hogs. Farm News Ag Show partners include Iowa Central Community College, Webster County Farm Bureau, R & J Material Handling, United Bank of Iowa/Fort Dodge, Farm Credit Services of America, Webster City, John Pitzer Sales, The Country Store, Greater 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 2017 promises to be a splendid opportunity for education, good conversation, some outstanding food and just plain fun.

See you there.