LONDON, Ohio — The purpose of the Ohio Farm Science Review (FSR) 50 years ago – as it is today – was to exhibit and demonstrate the latest advancement in farm power machinery and equipment, with emphasis on methods of harvesting, drying storing and handling field crops.

More than 150,000 visitors and 600 exhibitors will cover the grounds of the Molly Caren Agriculture Center in London for this event, which takes place Sept. 18-20. This blossoming attraction was the idea of three men, who worked hard to give each year its theme as well as fill the show with interesting products and hands-on exhibits.

In 1961, Roy Kettman, former dean of Ohio State University’s College of Agriculture, met with M.R. Maxon, a regional branch sales manager for International Harvester, for the purpose of holding field demonstrations and educational displays for the public. The two were looking for a replacement for Farm and Home Week.

After 46 years this once-popular open house for the College of Agriculture had expired from disinterest, in 1959. Ray Mattson of the Columbus Tractor Club was also invited to participate. From this union the Ohio Expositions was formed and OSU became sponsor of the newly formed FSR, which came to fruition on March 15, 1962.

Dale T. Friday, of OSU’s Department of Agronomy, was the first general manager of the FSR. The first one took place at OSU’s Don Scott Airport just northwest of the university in September 1963. The theme for the first show was “Showcase of Agriculture.” Tickets to the event cost 50 cents.

A pond was constructed in the conservation area and the “revolutionary” concept of no-till was introduced. There were 18,000 visitors that year and 116 commercial exhibitors.

In 1964 the Review was titled “Show Window of Agriculture.” Highlights included research on 20- and 30-inch cornrows and A-frame vacation cabins.

Attendance in 1965 required the use of 24 shuttle buses, as word of the show crossed Ohio and neighboring states. Features that year were combines with 12-foot heads and seven-bottom plows. And 1966 saw the first field demonstrations, along with the first glimpse of solid-row planting of soybeans.

The 1967 show was considered by many to be the “Mud Bowl” of shows. Muddy conditions that year made things treacherous for exhibitors and visitors. A laser used to maintain grade during a drain tile installation was among its highlights.

“Up to Date in ‘68’” was the theme the following year. New was an irrigation system in the crop plots that covered 11.5 acres with each revolution.

By 1969 cost to enter was at 75 cents. The OSU Department of Animal Science put on a rodeo and fertilizer was spread by airplane. Not all ideas worked out accordingly, though.

The “mall” concept was tried for departmental exhibits. Putting four large tents together created a confusing maze of displays. The idea was never tried again. By 1969 there were 39,000 visitors and 192 exhibitors.

In 1970 the beltway surrounding Columbus (Interstate 270) was completed and made access to the FSR much easier. The Corn Blight tent featured seminars in response to an outbreak of blight that year. An “Outdoor Living Review” meant for urban people never saw success because of poor commercial support and Vietnam protests which closed the university. Attendance (as well as exhibits) declined slightly from the previous year.

In 1971 the Animal Science/Farm Operations Complex was under construction and in 1972 permanent buildings took footing on the grounds. Highlighted that second year was a systematic drainage of the new beef pasture. By 1973 the Farm Science Review covered 45 acres, sported 340 types of hybrid corn and $6 million worth of equipment on display.

Skip-row soybeans and upright hybrid corn plantings were the highlight of 1974. Gravel roads were added to the site in 1975 and an antique farm equipment display, in 1976. By 1977 more parking spaces were added as 65,000 entered the gate to see 420 exhibitors. The waiting list of exhibitors totaled 173.

Nitrogen stabilizers were the hot item in the FSR test fields in 1978, while no-till planting was the big draw in 1979. In 1980 research on sludge took center stage.

In 1981, Friday retired as general manager of the show and R. Craig Fendick took his place. The new 12-bottom plow was the highlight at this show.

By 1982 more than 80,000 attended the show and in 1983 it was relocated to London, Ohio, at the Caren Center. It took officials nine months and $700,000 to make the move, but it was necessary as the show outgrew Don Scott Field.

Highlights at this new residence were plentiful: a $350,000 grain complex was constructed, an 80-acre exhibit area was added and a Home, Yard and Garden program was installed. A drought, however, killed grass on the grounds and a 2-inch rainfall resulting in muddy lots reminded many of the 1967 debacle. Parking was so bad the Ohio State Highway Patrol gave approval for patrons to park on U.S. Highway 40.

In 1984 the motto was “The Showcase of Ohio Agriculture” and the Gwynne Conservation Area was built. In 1985 a tornado destroyed one building and severely damaged the grounds’ headquarters, but the show went on as scheduled.

That year, the National Border Collie Sheep Dog finals were also held at the FSR.

By 1986 more than 119,000 visitors and 506 commercial exhibitors were involved in the show. Visitors even came from Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Argentina, Iraq and seven other nations and in 1987, the 25th anniversary of the show, the National Plowing Match was on the grounds.

The next 25 years were just as enticing, and some events became the trademark of those shows. In 1988 visitors attended during Ohio’s second-worst drought in history (second to this year’s) and in 1995 GPS, or global positioning technology, made the scene, as did auto-steering tractor technology.

In 2000 the first flush toilets were installed at the show, replacing the portable units. In 2005, 18 Purdue University specialists partnered with the FSR for the first time.

Visitors to the 2008 show may remember how the winds from Hurricane Ike leveled tents and played havoc with the schedule, and in 2009 the theme to the show was “Your 2009 Bale Out.”

Each FSR can be recalled by some event that occurred that year. Show officials like Chuck Gamble, who has been manager of the FSR since 1995, only hope visitors will remember the progress and innovations in farming.

“The field of agriculture is so exciting right now, with the boon in technology that has taken place in the industry during the past 50 years,” said Gamble. “From genetics and seeds and the different chemistry that we have to protect plants, to the equipment we now have that uses satellite technology to make farming more precise and efficient.

“I can’t fathom what the next 10 to 50 years will bring in agricultural innovations.”