The Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education will become the place to be for farmers this week.
The MSU Department of Agricultural Engineering is holding its 22nd annual Ag Expo, which runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday.
The expo features a variety of events related to farming equipment and the farming industry, including supplies and services. Various demonstrations will be provided during the event by Tillers International and the Michigan Steam Engine and Threshers Club, among others.
“It’s a year-round event for those of us that are involved in it,” Ag Expo director Tim Harrigan said.
Harrigan, who is also an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Engineering, said the expo is an opportunity for people to get familiar with the new technology and equipment available in farming.
“It’s meant to appeal to the entire family, including children, whether they are professional farmers or just people who are interested in farming,” Harrigan said.
Harrigan also said the expo isn’t just about new equipment - it includes a number of educational exhibits.
“It really emphasizes what’s new in agriculture, but also the history and culture of agriculture,” Harrigan said.
Brian Larue, district manager for Walters Buildings, in Holt, said he is looking forward to the expo.
“This is a big show for me. I get a lot of leads out of the show,” Larue said. “This is a big order time for us.”
Tony Fidler, a sales manager for Sisco Inc., in Greenville, Ohio, has traveled to take part in the expo the past 12 years. Fidler said the expo has gotten smaller in the past few years, but said that is typical of the shows he attends. He said the expo is still important for his company.
“It’s a good show for (Sisco), because of working in Michigan and Ohio. The two go together,” Fidler said.
Fidler said he has been doing these types of shows since 1963, and he sees a lot of the same people each year.
“It’s like a homecoming in some respects,” Fidler said.
Though the expo is mainly about the farming equipment, there are things for children to do at the event, like games at the Farm Bureau tent.
Larue said it’s a good experience for his kids to come to the expo, because they don’t live in a rural area.
“They like to come out and wander and look at the cows. They have a great time,” he said. “They like to come out and see things they don’t see all the time, and it’s good for them.”
