Spokane Ag Expo expects 5,000 visitors in February

The 2013 Spokane Ag Expo and Pacific Northwest Farm Forum has been scheduled for Feb. 5-7 at the Spokane Convention Center Complex. The largest farm machinery show in the Inland Northwest will host 250 exhibitors and conduct 36 educational seminars and forums relating to agri-business from large-scale operations to small acreage farms and ranches.

Exhibitors will range from large farm equipment manufacturers and service providers to businesses catering to small acreage and part-time farmers..

Spokane Ag Expo has been bringing agri-business and farmers together for 36 years.

More than 5,000 visitors and 250 exhibitors are expected.

For 59 years, Pacific Northwest Farm Forum has scheduled seminars ranging across a wide spectrum of c topics.. This year’s seminars are scheduled for Feb. 5, noon to 4 p.m .; Feb. 6, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m .; Feb. 7, 10:30 a.m. to noon. For a complete time and topic schedule of the seminars, visit the Spokane Ag Expo website at http://www.agshow.org.

The opening session of the Pacific Northwest Farm Forum Feb. 5 at 9 a.m. features Dr. Art Douglas, retired Professor Emeritus, Atmospheric Science Department, Creighton University, presenting his 2013 weather forecast for the Pacific Northwest.

Jim Fitzgerald, executive director for Far West Agribusiness Association. will present “Today’s Facts, Tomorrow’s Plan: The Realities for Challenges of Today and the Opportunities of Tomorrow.” in the adjacent DoubleTree Hotel ballroom.

On Feb. 6 at 9 a.m. in the DoubleTree Main Ballroom, Kevin Van Trump, President of Farm Direction, will address the current agriculture markets with his analysis of what is changing and how to better manage the risks in the world marketplace.

Pacific Northwest Farm Forum is also offering 36 educational seminars scheduled to include topics relating to cattle, marketing crops and livestock, small farm planning and marketing, tax and estate planning and several recertification courses. View all seminar topics and scheduled times by going to Spokane Ag Expo’s website at http://www.agshow.org. All seminars and speaker events will be presented in the various meeting rooms at the hotel adjacent to the Convention Center.

Free parking is available at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena parking lot with free, round-trip shuttle bus service to the convention center.