University News

WIU's Ag Mech Club puts on the WIU Farm Expo every year; it's the largest event of its kind in the U.S. organized and conducted by college students.
[Download Print-Quality Image]

WIU Ag Mech Club's 39th Farm Expo Opens Jan. 31

January 20, 2009

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL -- Farm tractors, technology and toys are among the hundreds of agriculture-related items that will be on display at the 39th Annual Farm Expo at Western Illinois University, the largest student-run farm show in the United States. Organized by WIU's Agriculture Mechanization Club, the 2009 show is slated for 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1 in Western Hall on the WIU campus in Macomb.

The two-day event will feature emerging ag technology, tractors and machinery, livestock equipment and supplies, crop supplies, as well as information about ag sales and service, conservation methods, ag structures and much more. McDonough District Hospital's Rehabilitation Services will offer free
balance testing, grip testing, joint protection and energy conservation. For a younger audience, they will have a sports fitness challenge (agility and coordination activities). MDH's Outreach Services department will again offer free blood glucose testing. More than 100 exhibitors will participate.

Rich Hollis, vice president of organizational development at Rabo Agri-Finance, Inc., will deliver the keynote address at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31.

A farm toy and craft show will also be held both days in the upper concourse of Western Hall. According to the 2009 Farm Expo website, many varieties of toy tractors, cars, trucks, scale models and crafts will be on display, and vendors from around the Midwest will be present.

In addition, a kiddie pedal-tractor pull will be held at noon Sunday, Feb. 1. Ribbons will be awarded to tractor pull winners in a variety of age categories.

The Ag Mech Club's 39th Annual Farm Expo is open free to the public, and free parking will be available in WIU's Q-Lot located on the east side of Western Hall.

For more information or to sponsor a booth, contact the WIU agriculture department at (309) 298-1080, or the Ag Mech Club office at (309) 298-1231 or visit www.wiufarmexpo.com.

Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing