Farm show returns with sold out vendors
The North American Farm & Power Show returns to Owatonna next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 19-20, at the Four Seasons Centre at the fairgrounds.
This year marks the 24th year the event has been held in Owatonna, said Dan Slowinski of Trade Expos in Austin that sponsors the show.
“We have sold out (the vendor spaces),” Slowinski said, adding there are 16 more on the wait list. The show will feature 161 companies and 324 booths. Twenty-four of the exhibitors are attending for the first time.
The show annually brings in between 8,000 and 10,000 visitors, Slowinski said, although last year was higher. Although the target audience is farmers and ranchers, Slowinski said that there is really something for everyone and that is especially reflected in attendance on Saturday when many families attend and the youngsters especially like looking at the machinery.
The show serves as a midwestern hub for exhibitors to showcase their latest products and innovations and serves as an opportunity for exhibitors and the farming community to learn from and network with each other.
This year’s show will feature a silent auction sponsored by the Owatonna FFA Alumni Chapter. All money raised from the auction will go to the local FFA chapter. There also will be food trucks on site, and a concession stand that benefits Owatonna Youth Hockey
Everyone attending is also invited to register for the Grand Prize drawing which will be held 30 minutes before the show’s closing on Saturday afternoon. There will also be daily drawings from Miner’s Outdoor & Rec including a Husqvarna leaf blower on Thursday, Husqvarna string trimmer on Friday and a Husqvarna chainsaw on Saturday.
Another feature of the show is the seminars held all three days. All seminar sessions will be in the second level meeting room.
Thursday will have Farm and Business Succession Planning from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with Leah R. Gilbert, Gilbert Legal, PLLC, in Waconia, sponsored by the Linder Farm Network.
How Cover Crops Make “Cents” will be the topic from 1 to 4 p.m., sponsored by University of Minnesota Extension.
Turn soil health into real returns. This session explores cover crop funding opportunities, the dollars and cents side of soil health, and how livestock and cover crops can work together for greater efficiency. Learn how to match the right seed to the right field at the right time, while strengthening your bottom line.
Friday’s morning session will discuss the Benefits of Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification for Your Farm with Brad Jordahl Redlin and Megan Moland from 10 to 11:30 a.m., sponsored by Linder Farm Network.
The afternoon session is the Organic Row Crops Workshop, a staple in the Owatonna area for over 20 years. It is sponsored by University of Minnesota Extension. This session is for everyone, whether certified organic, transitioning or simply curious about organic farming. Topics include a farmer panel discussion, organic weed management, roller crimping, alternative and emerging crops and marketing opportunities.
On Saturday, the Southeastern Minnesota Irrigators Association will hold their annual meeting from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. beef quality assurance training will be led by Melissa Runck, University of Minnesota Extension Beef Specialist. Whether seeking certification for the first time or in need of recertification, this session will provide essential training for beef producers
Admission and parking to the North American Farm and Power Show are free. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5.m. on Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.