Bringing together the region's farming community and the services necessary for daily operations is the goal of the eighth annual Western New York Farm Show, Feb. 1-3, at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg. The exposition is sponsored by the Erie County Agricultural Society.
The Western New York Farm Show strives to educate farmers from around the region about the latest cutting-edge agricultural products and technology. Vendors include feed, seed and equipment dealers, farm service providers, and non-for-profits that specialize in agriculture education, promotion and advancement. Industry professionals will lead seminars daily covering a variety of topics.
Highlights of the 2018 show, provided at no cost to showgoers, include an opportunity to earn spray credits during pesticide recertification classes and grain bin safety and rescue simulator demonstrations. High school students will be able to show off their skills during the NAPA Auto Parts Mechanics Competition Friday.
Added for 2018 is the "Real World" Mechanics Competition on Saturday, where participants need only be 18-21 years of age to participate.
The third annual Farmer Elite Toss Hay Bale Throwing Competition will take place each day of the show at 2 p.m. inside the Agriculture Discovery Center. A "pee wee" toss, featuring competitors ages 12 and under, will take place daily before the adult competition.
New this year is a kids 12 and under pedal tractor race on Saturday at 11 a.m. A complete listing of events, demonstrations and seminars can be found at
www.WNYFarmShow.com.
The WNY Farm Show will be held inside two heated buildings on the fairgrounds. Show times are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For more information, email
[email protected] or call 716-649-3900, ext. 6488.
The Erie County Fairgrounds is located in Hamburg, and accessible by the New York State Thruway (I-90) off Exit 56. The grounds are located just 20 minutes south of Buffalo. For GPS users, use the address "5820 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, New York 14075."
The Erie County Agricultural Society is a private, not-for-profit membership organization. Established in 1819, the society is the oldest civic organization in Western New York. The ECAS's mission is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York state. Visit
www.ECFair.org to learn more.
