By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Ag Expo, Michigan’s largest agriculture show, is back for its 32nd year with the traditional farm displays and activities as well as special attractions, for the whole family. The event is July 19-21 on the Michigan State University campus.

The expo, sponsored by the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), will feature more than 200 exhibitors including equipment, seed, fertilizer, building and service suppliers. Visitors will see tractors, implements, trailers and other equipment, with the opportunity to talk with representatives from manufacturers, dealers and agencies.

Visitors also can learn about research, teaching and extension programs offered through CANR. “It’s an opportunity to check out the latest models of tractors, sprayers and dairy equipment or compare seed and fertilizer varieties. You can sit in on more than 50 educational sessions about everything from rotational grazing and energy audits, to hoop houses and social media,” said Ag Expo Director Ruth Hohl Borger.

On-site plots from commercial seed companies will be featured at the show. Visitors will be able to talk with seed company representatives while looking at examples of the companies’ specialty soybean and corn hybrids.

Also on Expo grounds, visitors can take part in ride-and-drive demonstrations of skid steers and large-frame tractors and view demonstrations of tillage equipment, cattle handling, mortality composting, sprayer calibration and equine management. Visitors may take in lawn tractor and antique tractor pulls, and watch the state FFA tractor driving contest. Daily sessions will be offered on succession planning and financial strategies, from experts in the financial field.

The CANR tent, which has been a mainstay at Ag Expo for the past eight years, will feature educational sessions and activities supporting the theme The Science of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Events will show how CANR programs – including extension and AgBioResearch – feature excellence in science.

“MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources offers educational programs that rely on science as their basis,” said CANR tent coordinator Eileen Gianodis. “In this year’s college tent, we showcase those programs so that participants realize just how important majors in our college are to life on our planet.”

James Whaley, a 4-H member from Byron, will be back this year with a baby chicken booth. Whaley has his own business, Jimmy’s Farm Fresh Eggs, and enjoys teaching others about chickens. During Ag Expo, he will be moving newly hatched chickens from the incubator to the feeding pen and teaching onlookers what it takes to care for poultry.

A section of the tent will be dedicated to “I Know MI Numbers,” an extension initiative designed to engage Michigan citizens in how numbers translate into healthier living, a cleaner environment, improved civic management and educational achievement.

The college tent will also feature several educational demonstrations including wind energy, social media and new technology, pond management, gardening tips from MSU extension’s Master Gardeners, and information about agricultural career options.

The MSU Dairy Store will offer free ice cream while accepting donations to support CANR scholarships. Ag Expo features commercial farm equipment from across the Midwest and several Canadian provinces on the 35-acre main exhibition site, as well as educational exhibits from several MSU colleges and departments.

“We are committed to the quality educational activities, demonstrations and informational presentations planned that we have offered in years past,” Hohl Borger said. “Regardless of whether you’re an experienced grower or would like to become one, there’s something for everyone at this year’s show.”

Ag Expo runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 19-20, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 21.
Admission to the grounds and parking at Farm Lane and Mt. Hope Road are free. For more information, visit www. agexpo.msu.edu or call 800-366-7055. The MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources sponsors Ag Expo.