The organizers of Empire Farm Days never have to worry about boring participants with the same old show.
For 72 years, they have helped display the latest and greatest in farming equipment, techniques and technology.
Show manager Melanie Wickham said that although the show is a "huge tradition," each year is a different, unique experience.
"Every year the show is something brand new," said Wickham, executive director of the Empire State Potato Growers, the show's sponsor. Farmers and agricultural businesses are always displaying their innovative, new products, she said.
This year's trade show, which runs today through Thursday at the Rodman Lott & Son Farms in Seneca Falls, offers new fare such as safety workshops, Global Positioning Systems demonstrations and an expanded list of seminars and exhibits at the Equine Center.
Also making its Empire Farm Days debut is the event's first college fair.
"We believe our clientele is there," said Cathy Sheils, associate director of admissions for Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, which has about 3,100 students.
"We feel like it's exposure to students who are a top priority for us."
Cornell is one of four colleges that will have admissions staff standing by to answer the questions of prospective students and their parents. State University of New York schools at Cobleskill, Morrisville and Alfred will also have tables with literature.
The fair will be at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday in the Special Events Center. Sheils said that she was eager to offer students "one-stop shopping" and to publicize some of the college's newest majors, including agricultural sciences, enology (the science of making wine) and viticulture (the science of growing grapes).
Wickham helped initiate the fair.
"We thought that the future of agriculture lies in the kids out here and keeping them interested," she said.
"If we don't have kids interested about going into agriculture, there won't be any reason for the show (in the future)."
It's important to make students aware of new and exciting agriculture-related career opportunities, Wickham said.
More than 650 exhibitors are expected to display their products on the 300-plus acre site.
There will be several daily seminars and demonstrations on everything from hay mowing to how to pick a horse.
A new safety workshop will teach participants how to operate small machines such as ATVs, chain saws and garden tractors. Organizers are also excited about showing farmers how to use GPS to more efficiently operate their field machinery.
Wickham, a 19-year-veteran of Empire Farm Days, is hopeful for good weather and large crowds. She estimated that the three-day event would attract 60,000 to 70,000 people.
"Our hope is that the farmers come and the exhibitors sell," she said.
If you go
What: Empire Farm Days
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Wednesday; 9 to 4 p.m. Thursday
Where: Rodman Lott & Son Farms, Seneca Falls
Cost: $5 per car
More information: www.empirefarmdays.com or (877) 697-7837
Staff writer Linda Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or linda.ober@lee.net
Show manager Melanie Wickham said that although the show is a "huge tradition," each year is a different, unique experience.
"Every year the show is something brand new," said Wickham, executive director of the Empire State Potato Growers, the show's sponsor. Farmers and agricultural businesses are always displaying their innovative, new products, she said.
This year's trade show, which runs today through Thursday at the Rodman Lott & Son Farms in Seneca Falls, offers new fare such as safety workshops, Global Positioning Systems demonstrations and an expanded list of seminars and exhibits at the Equine Center.
Also making its Empire Farm Days debut is the event's first college fair.
"We believe our clientele is there," said Cathy Sheils, associate director of admissions for Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, which has about 3,100 students.
"We feel like it's exposure to students who are a top priority for us."
Cornell is one of four colleges that will have admissions staff standing by to answer the questions of prospective students and their parents. State University of New York schools at Cobleskill, Morrisville and Alfred will also have tables with literature.
The fair will be at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday in the Special Events Center. Sheils said that she was eager to offer students "one-stop shopping" and to publicize some of the college's newest majors, including agricultural sciences, enology (the science of making wine) and viticulture (the science of growing grapes).
Wickham helped initiate the fair.
"We thought that the future of agriculture lies in the kids out here and keeping them interested," she said.
"If we don't have kids interested about going into agriculture, there won't be any reason for the show (in the future)."
It's important to make students aware of new and exciting agriculture-related career opportunities, Wickham said.
More than 650 exhibitors are expected to display their products on the 300-plus acre site.
There will be several daily seminars and demonstrations on everything from hay mowing to how to pick a horse.
A new safety workshop will teach participants how to operate small machines such as ATVs, chain saws and garden tractors. Organizers are also excited about showing farmers how to use GPS to more efficiently operate their field machinery.
Wickham, a 19-year-veteran of Empire Farm Days, is hopeful for good weather and large crowds. She estimated that the three-day event would attract 60,000 to 70,000 people.
"Our hope is that the farmers come and the exhibitors sell," she said.
If you go
What: Empire Farm Days
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Wednesday; 9 to 4 p.m. Thursday
Where: Rodman Lott & Son Farms, Seneca Falls
Cost: $5 per car
More information: www.empirefarmdays.com or (877) 697-7837
Staff writer Linda Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or linda.ober@lee.net
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