The 2008 Farm Progress Show, scheduled for Aug. 26, 27 and 28, will be held on a new, permanent biennial site east of Boone, Iowa.
This long-term facility for the nation's largest outdoor farm show will be developed on nearly 600 acres at the intersection of U.S. Highway 30 and Iowa Highway 17. Extensive site construction will begin this spring and is scheduled to be completed in time to host the 2008 show. The show will be held every other year on this site, with alternate years at its other permanent biennial facility in Decatur, Ill.
The developed Iowa site will also be known as the Central Iowa Expo. It will host other events and activities when it is not occupied with the Farm Progress Show.
"We are very excited to establish the nation's greatest ag showcase in central Iowa and make this Central Iowa Expo site a permanent biennial Farm Progress Show location," says Don Tourte, Farm Progress national sales and events director. "The communities of Boone and Ames have been exceptional to work with, and we look forward to the next 20-plus years together."
The Boone location for the 2008 Farm Progress Show is conveniently located just off Highway 30 providing visitors easy access to the show grounds. Map image from Google Maps.
Darrel Rensink, Boone economic development director, was part of the team that submitted the proposal to secure the Farm Progress Show. "Having Farm Progress Companies select central Iowa as the permanent site for the Farm Progress Show for the next 20 years is indeed exciting. This decision clearly demonstrates the cooperative spirit of the area and makes this kind of event and facility development possible," Rensink says.
Boone County, the city of Boone, Boone's Future, and the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau and three area families worked together and made the new show location possible. The landowners and farmers who are the show site's host families include Robert and Eric Ziel, June Isaacson and Alan Schoff.
The central Iowa location presents many advantages to Farm Progress Show visitors and exhibitors. The show site offers close proximity to major four-lane and interstate highways, as well as access to a wide range of hotels and restaurants. Iowa State University, a leader in agricultural education and research, is located just a few miles away in Ames. "The nearness to Iowa State will be a great asset to the Farm Progress Show," says Tourte. "The show and the show's host publication, Wallaces Farmer, have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the university."
In 2005, the Farm Progress Show hosted its first Illinois/Indiana show at its permanent biennial Decatur, Ill., show site. Visitors at the 2005 show were very impressed with the show's upgraded facilities. The show will now rotate between the Decatur and Boone sites. Both show locations have been designed with highly developed infrastructures and conveniences.
The decision to move the Farm Progress Show to two developed permanent biennial sites was made to reduce the risk of weather-related cancellations, as well as to offer enhanced facilities, additional programming, and create a familiar experience for both visitors and exhibitors. The approach improves upon what is already an outstanding farm show.
"This facility in Boone will complete our strategy to implement permanent biennial locations and will give visitors and exhibitors a venue that will offer an even better show experience," adds Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress show manager.
Permanent restrooms, hard-surfaced streets and well-drained, permanent alfalfa/sod parking lots are just a few of the amenities visitors and exhibitors can look forward to at the Farm Progress Show site in Boone. Popular attractions - including harvesting and precision field demonstrations, seed technology plots, and an exhibit area filled with hundreds of top agricultural manufacturers and distributors - will continue to serve as main draws. Additional activities will continuously be added to the already extensive schedule of events.
The 2007 Farm Progress Show will be held Aug. 28, 29 and 30 in Decatur, Ill. This year's show marks the 54th annual event. For more information, visit www.FarmProgressShow.com.
"We sincerely thank all of the communities that submitted proposals for hosting the Farm Progress Show," says Tourte. "It was a difficult decision, and countless hours were spent to ensure we chose the location that worked the best for our visitors and exhibitors."
The Farm Progress Show is the nation's leading outdoor farm show and features the most extensive state-of-the art information and technology available for today's agricultural producers. The country's top agribusinesses, plus many regional and local manufacturers and suppliers, are regular exhibitors. Farmers and ranchers from across North America and around the world visit the Farm Progress Show to see agriculture's latest product introductions, meet face-to-face with agribusiness professionals and gain hands-on knowledge.
The annual gathering, representing a tradition of rural-community building with its educational offerings, has hosted many political leaders. President George W. Bush visited the 2004 show held near Alleman, Iowa; Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns attended in 2005; and Undersecretary of Rural Development Tom Dorr was hosted in 2005 and 2006.
Wallaces Farmer is the 2008 show host publication; Prairie Farmer and Indiana Prairie Farmer are hosts for its Illinois/Indiana location. The Farm Progress Show is owned by Farm Progress Companies, located in Carol Stream, Ill.
About Farm Progress Companies
Farm Progress Companies, Inc. is the nation's largest agricultural media company. Its business operations include 23 magazines that mass nearly 1 million rural subscribers, farm shows, complementary Web sites, custom publishing services, including e-content and e-publications, and the ag industry's most comprehensive database. The company also produces proprietary and contracted databases and market research for a variety of clients who serve and need to reach and understand America's farmers, ranchers and rural-living consumers. Farm Progress' roots date to 1841 with Prairie Farmer, which holds the distinction of being the nation's oldest continuously published magazine. Visit www.FarmProgress.com for additional company information.