View from the Cab: Expo season here
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By: Kent Casson
We are in the midst of farm expo and show season this winter and it feels so good.
Various events have returned to the ag world after many took a year off in 2021 due to COVID-19. Hard to believe the Greater Peoria Farm Show and Midwest Ag Expo at Gordyville USA are already behind us.
One big event coming up in Springfield is the 2022 Illinois Pork Expo at the Bank of Springfield Center. Between Feb. 22 and 23, pork producers and others involved in the industry will gather for the popular trade show and annual meeting of the Illinois Pork Producers Association.
Ag remains a leading economic driver in Illinois and specifically in the pork industry, the state continues to rank fourth nationally in pork production. This means Illinois generates over two billion pounds of pork each year. IPPA reports hog processing and production also contributes more than $1.8 billion toward the state’s economy and stimulates the Illinois workforce by supporting around 57,000 jobs.
Admission to the Illinois Pork Expo is free to everyone attending but they must register on site unless pre-registration was already completed.
Closer to home, you won’t want to miss the Prairie Central FFA Farm and Home Show at the Upper Elementary school in Forrest on Saturday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be the 41st annual show with various exhibitors representing businesses and service organizations from the area. Be sure to stop by my booth and say hello at the show as the Central Illinois Farm Network will once again be there. I’ll be doing some live broadcasts for the CIFN and WGCY Radio interviewing show participants and FFA members.
Speaking of the FFA, National FFA Week is coming right up and several area schools will be holding fundraising dinners and auctions in the coming weeks. You can get your fill of pork burgers and chops while browsing auction items in local gymnasiums to raise money for FFA chapters. It is always fun to see the communities come together for events such as these.
I will try my best to do the typical FFA auction tour as we cover the events throughout Central Illinois.
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