MoneyMonday, August 27, 2007 5:46 PM CDT

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Farm Progress show set to open in Decatur

By Chris Lusvardi
chris.lusvardi@lee.net

DECATUR — The Farm Progress show has returned to Decatur. Officials have seemingly been preparing for the arrival of the 2007 show, Tuesday through Thursday, ever since the crowds left in 2005.

This year, organizers have breathed easier, having one run under their belt and most of the Progress City USA infrastructure already in place.

"The big difference is we’re able to just kind of do some fine-tuning rather than reinventing the wheel, which is historically what we had done," said Matt Jungmann, the show’s manager.

The show begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday on a 640-acre site near Richland Community College. Major additions include adding an extra road to the site and paving the streets. Some companies are building large grain bins, and many exhibitors such as Monsanto are increasing the size of their exhibits for the show. The St. Louis-based seed company does research at 16 to 18 locations throughout the Midwest, but the Farm Progress Show allows it to display the technologies that are farthest along and closest to being on the market, said Aaron Robinson, a research agronomist manager based in Monmouth.

"We wouldn’t reach as many farmers," Robinson said. He noted that maybe 2,500 people will visit the research facility in a summer tour season. This year, the company hopes it will surpass the estimated 6,000 visitors who passed through its exhibit in the three-day run of the Amana, Iowa, show in 2006.

The preparations this year don’t begin to compare to the work that needed to be done in 2005, when the site was built from scratch and was finished with just days to spare before the start of the event.

"It’s a lot easier going into this year that we’ve got this base already constructed," said Jeff Smith, the show’s Decatur-based regional sales manager.

Even host farmers say having the experience from the first show made their job easier the second time around.

"This year will be a piece of cake," said David Brix, who is in his second year as host farmer along with Marc Padrutt. This will be Colby Schwarze’s first year in the role. "The headaches are all gone," said Brix, adding that he enjoys not having as many planning meetings.

In an effort to keep visitors in town and attract more people from the area, organizers have added a concert Wednesday evening. Country stars Tracy Byrd and Tracy Lawrence will perform together starting at 5:30 p.m.

"We wanted to make sure this is something that everybody can enjoy," Jungmann said. "It will be something special, new and different from the 2005 show."

The event has proven beneficial for Progress City and the surrounding area, Decatur officials said, and they are excited about its future.

The show, which is in its 54th year, will return to Decatur every odd-numbered year until at least 2025. A site near Boone, Iowa, has been selected as a permanent site for even-numbered years.

Go!

What: Farm Progress Show

When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday

Where: Near Decatur's Richland Community College. Take U.S. 51 south to Interstate 72 East. Take Exit 144 off I-72 to Brush College Road.

Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for students, free for ages 12 and under

What to see: Product exhibits, field demonstrations, seminars, concert and more.

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John Sargeant with McCormick USA, adjusts the flag poles at his booth at the Farm Progress Show on Monday in Decatur. (Herald & Review/Kelly J. Huff)

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