County Seeking Farm Families Interested in Hosting 2015 Farm Technology Days
August 16, 2012
Casey Slaughter Becker, Office of the County Executive 608.267.8823 or cell, 608.843.8858
Application Process to be Considered as Host Farm Open and Underway
The county is currently seeking families interested in entering their farm for consideration as the host site for the 2015 Farm Technology Days, a critical early step in planning for the event, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced today.
“While being the host farm for Farm Tech Days entails a lot of hard work, the honor of serving as the ambassador for all things Dane County agriculture is tremendous,” said Parisi. “Dane County is the most productive agriculture county in the state We have so much to be proud of, and I can’t wait to show Wisconsin what our farm families do best.”
While all farms that apply will be considered, to be chosen as host very specific criteria must be met to fulfill the needs of one of the largest agriculture shows in the nation. The farmstead and major land owned by the farmer must be within Dane County, under the control of up to two operators. One of the host farms must be a livestock operation.
The host farm must also have a minimum of 400-450 acres, with 160 acres of reasonably level land, in sod, to be used by the show’s famous Tent City, exhibitor parking, general parking, and demonstration areas. In addition to the 160 acres, an additional 250 acres must be available for harvesting and 50-100 acres for tillage demonstrations during the event.
Infrastructure surrounding the farm is key as well. An ideal farm location would have good access to a parking area for exhibitors and attendees from at least two directions, readily available by good roads with a good traffic flow pattern.
Additional site selection criteria and an online application can be found through the county’s UW-Extension office at http://dane.uwex.edu/2012/08/14/host-farm-search-has-begun/. The deadline to apply is Friday, September 28th. The host farm does not have to pay any fee to apply, and will receive no financial compensation if selected.
Farmers with questions regarding the application process are encouraged to contact county UW-Extension Crop and Soils Agent Lee Jennings at Jennings.lee@countyofdane.comor by calling 608-224-3716.
Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, formerly Wisconsin Farm Progress Days, showcases innovations in production agriculture with field demonstrations that have included cutting, bailing, chopping, and harvesting. Attendees can also learn more though educational displays, hands on activities, and more than 600 exhibitors.
Considered the largest agriculture show in Wisconsin, and one of the largest in the nation, it has the potential to attract up to 60,000 attendees during the three-day event. Pierce County hosted Technology Days in 2010 and reported a total economic impact of over $1.8 million and the creation of dozens of jobs.
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