PEORIA, Ill. — The 25th Greater Peoria Farm Show will engulf the Peoria Civic Center, Nov. 28-30, bringing more than 300 farm product and service exhibitors under one roof for what has come to be known as the first big farm machinery show of the year after harvest.

Greater Peoria Farm Show manager Ron Howard of Midwest Shows, Inc., told Farm World he’s excited about the theme of this year’s show - the relationship between energy and production agriculture - and the show’s lineup of guest speakers and promotions.

“Our 25th anniversary show is going to be a big one,” Howard promised. “By far, we have more events taking place at this year’s show than during any in the past. We’re going to have a variety of alternative fuels seminars going on each day, and we have some outstanding guests including Orion Samuelson and Max Armstrong.

“And we’re giving away a grand prize of a new Chevy Silverado pickup truck, a four-by-four with an extended cab. To go along with the truck we’re also giving away $2,500 worth of E-85 fuel.”

Doors open at the Civic Center at 9 a.m. all three days, and will remain open until 4 p.m. Exhibitors will showcase more than 1,000 product lines and services.

Those attending the show will see everything new in agriculture, from the large implements spread throughout the Civic Center’s arena, exhibit hall and concourses to the tiniest scale-model farm toys. Admission is free.

With alternative energy “the buzz” of the agricultural community these days, show organizers have assembled a lineup of presenters who will focus on all aspects of alternative energy production during twice-daily (10 a.m. and 1 p.m.) seminars.

U.S. Rep. Ray Lahood (R-Ill.) will examine the political side of alternative energy production during the 10 a.m. session on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

Other speakers in attendance for the sessions will include those representing the USDA National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR) of Peoria, the University of Illinois, the National Corn Growers Assoc., Stepan Co., The Nature Conservancy, Illinois State University and Aventine Renewable Energy, Inc.

“Energy production may hold the key to profitability in farm and ranch operations,” said John Riles, president of Midwest Shows. “Revenue sources can be developed that have not been available in the past, and agriculture stands to make a most meaningful contribution to supplying the ever-increasing demand for energy. We believe we have been successful in scheduling presentations that go beyond superficial knowledge and get into the business aspects that can add profit to a farm operation.”

Educational opportunities, the food versus fuel debate, fermentation, biomass, wind power, carbon credits and more will be covered in addition to widely discussed ethanol and biodiesel issues. Seminars will be in the Civic Center Theatre’s lobby.

Peoria-Bloomington Chevy Dealers, the FS system of member-owned cooperatives, Aventine Energy and the Peoria and Tazewell County Corn Growers Assoc.’s are sponsoring the biggest prize package ever offered at the show.

On Thursday, Nov. 30, WIRL Classic Country 1290 radio’s ag director and noon show host, Tricia Braid-Terry, will announce the winner of a new, black 2007 Chevy Silverado 4x4 flex-fuel pickup during her live broadcast from the farm show. Other prizes of gift cards good for biodiesel and E85 will also be given away during the farm show. The cards will be honored at any FS system member-owned cooperative fuel outlet.

“As we celebrate 25 years, it is a matter of great pride to me and our company that we have been able to maintain the highest quality show that brings exhibitors back year after year,” Howard commented. “As the first major show after the harvest, both exhibitors and farmers alike attend the show to make plans for the coming year. This year, new harvesting equipment will highlight the power equipment displayed. New innovations are being unveiled by nearly every exhibitor, making this a don’t-miss event.”

For more information on the Greater Peoria Farm Show see Midwest Shows’ website at www.farmshowsusa.com

This farm news was published in the Nov. 22, 2006 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.