First Northstar Ag Expo opens July 26 in Medford

The same company that packs the Four Seasons Centre in Owatonna each year with ag-related vendors and seminars will open a new outdoor farm show in Medford next week.

Hosted by Tradexpos, the Northstar Ag Expo offers displays from more than 50 companies, live farm reports, speakers, and seminars July 26-28 at Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, 6000 Frontage Rd. W., just off I-35.

The Austin-based company also produces the North American Farm & Power Show, typically held in the spring, as well as expos in Kansas and Indiana.

Show manager Dan Slowinski said participating vendors will show farm equipment from a variety of manufacturers, pressure washers, work benches, tire dealers, trailers, livestock equipment and bedding, and fertilizers, as well as crop consulting, drainage, and auctioneer services.

The new show, he said, gets back to the ag industry’s roots “of having a face-to-face relationship with a dealer.”

“I value shaking hands and looking someone in the eye when you’re working a deal,” he said. “This is a one-stop shop.”

Visitors can browse through the outdoor exhibits rain or shine.

The Owatonna-based Linder Farm Network, with 39 radio stations broadcasting farm-related news across Minnesota, will host live farm reports each day at 12:30 p.m. from the show. Linder will also host seminars Tuesday and Wednesday in the Ritchie Bros. indoor auditorium. Topics include:

• Outlook for agricultural commodities
• Issues farmers deal with in today’s market
• World influences on U.S. agriculture
• Impacts of Minnesota adopting the California EV (Electric Vehicle) mandate, with stricter emission standards and a mandate for big automakers to sell electric cars.

University of Minnesota Extension will host seminars on those two days as well on “Advanced Nitrogen Smart: A Deep Dive Into the 4Rs” and “Running Your Farm Business”.

In between sessions, Andy “Caygeon” Junkin will speak; he’s an agricultural strategist and founder of stubborn.farm. Slowinski said Junkin will have advice for generational farmers making tough decisions about their business. Junkin will also have a booth near the atrium.

Visitors can register at the show for three grand prizes: a Stor-Loc modular Stor-Cart (42”x30”x22”), H & H Quick Trailer Mover with two receivers from Root River Equipment, and a Walco 60” eight-tine Renegade manure fork.

Parking and admission are free 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, with food trucks onsite.

For more information, visit tradexpos.com.