New York Ag Connection - New York Farm Show Expands into Exposition Center

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New York Farm Show Expands into Exposition Center
New York Ag Connection - 02/21/2019

The New York Farm Show, the Northeast's leading farm show, will expand into the new Exposition Center for its 34th edition, which runs Feb. 21 through 24 at the New York State Fairgrounds. Approximately 420 exhibitors will fill five buildings for the show, displaying the newest agricultural products and providing educational exhibits. Events at the Fairgrounds complement Central NY Rising, the region's comprehensive strategy for growth.

"We are proud to serve as the home of the New York Farm Show and support the farmers and exhibitors who form the backbone of one of the state's most important industries. We're especially happy to see this show take advantage of the Expo Center and believe it will help the Farm Show prosper for many years to come," said Richard A. Ball, New York State commissioner of agriculture.

"The Fairgrounds and the Great New York State Fair exist to support agriculture. I want to welcome everyone to the show and our facilities. I hope they enjoy the beautiful new Expo Center, which is fast becoming a showplace for some of the biggest events in the Northeast," said Troy Waffner, fair director.

"We're glad New York State has built this nice Expo Center. New York is an agricultural state and everyone's realizing how important agriculture is to our economy and our lives," said show promoter Scott Grigor of the Northeast Equipment Dealers Association, which co-owns and produces the show with American Agriculturalist magazine.

The New York Farm Show features learning opportunities for farmers in many areas, including agritourism, liability insurance, fertilizer applications, and succession planning. Companies will display new products, including a new brush system for massaging dairy cows and a tractor attachment to groom their bedding, barn airflow systems and farm vehicles. There's also new high-tech equipment, such as an attachment for a drone that can take precision crop measurements to assess the crop's health.

In addition to the Expo Center, the Farm Show will take place in the Sleep Number Center of Progress, Art and Home, Horticulture and Tractor Supply Co. Exhibit Center/Dairy Cattle Buildings. This is the fifth event to make use of the new Expo Center in 2019.

During the Farm Show, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Animal Industry will partner with New York Beef Producers, Junior Beef Producers and others to host events for "Everything Beef" in the Toyota Building. The schedule includes vendor exhibits, workshops led by the State's veterinarians, including Dr. David Smith, director of the Department's Division of Animal Industry, and talks from other experts in marketing, regulations and more. Beef cattle will be on display and events will take place each day, with New York Junior Beef Producer members giving all of the presentations on Saturday. A complete schedule for "Everything Beef" can be found here.

The Witter Agricultural Museum will also be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day of the Farm Show. An interpreter will spotlight the museum's authentic 1800s cabin and there will be demonstrations of 19th century woodworking, weaving, spinning and butter making. Lorraine Jackson of Morning Mist Farm will be on hand to demonstrate the making of soap. The museum will display quilts, antique milking equipment and a comprehensive display of milk bottles from New York State Milk and Dairy Collectibles.

Wednesday's announcement complements "Central NY Rising," the region's comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $5.6 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan -- capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Syracuse, Oswego and Auburn as a destination to grow and invest in.

Now, the region is accelerating Central NY Rising with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State's $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion -- and the region's plan, as submitted, projects up to 5,900 new jobs. More information is available here.

The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year.

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