Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeMonday, Jan. 05, 2009
Check out latest gadgets at annual Pasco Ag Show
Ingrid Stegemoeller, Herald staff writer
The first agricultural show of the year is coming to Pasco this week and the public is invited to check out the newest industry gadgets and technology that will be on display.
The show will feature 115 exhibitors, from banks and insurance companies to nurseries and seed vendors to farm equipment and car dealers.
This year's show has the largest equipment exhibit ever, said show manager Debbie Toner, and includes tillers, combines, sprayers, tractors and more.
And for the first time the show is featuring a Top Five new agriculture products exhibit. New equipment and product entries were picked by a panel of industry professionals who judged submissions for innovation and originality.
"We want to be known for bringing the latest innovations to farmers," said Walt Neff, show chairman.
The annual show has been running for more than 30 years and is a good opportunity for farmers to attend classes, learn about new technology and network, said Toner and show manager Cathleen Williams.
"It's basically to put buyers and sellers together," said Toner, adding that this year's theme is We Mean Business.
"From wheat and grain to tree fruits to grapes, we have something for everybody," Williams said.
A variety of classes Tuesday will cover insurance and risk management, accident prevention, tools for improving farm budgets and more.
This year's keynote speaker is Bob Gore, director of the Washington Department of Agriculture.
He will talk at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday about opportunities and challenges facing the state's farmers and ranchers.
A gala Tuesday night will honor inductees into the Agricultural Hall of Fame.
One inductee is former Rep. Steve Hailey of Mesa, who died recently after a yearlong battle with colon cancer.
He will be the first to be honored, Toner said.
Other inductees include Edwin and Jane Danz, and Leonard & Marilyn Hanses, all longtime area farmers.
About 200 people are expected to attend the sold-out gala, she added.
And on Wednesday, three credits of pesticide recertification courses will be offered in English and Spanish.
Last year's show drew more than 4,000, both those in the industry and members of the public interested in learning more about agriculture, Toner said.
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