A multitude of crops are grown in the northern Plains, from potatoes to edible beans and canola.
These crops and several others are the focus of the eighth annual International Crop Expo at the Alerus Center, Grand Forks, on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21.
The expo will be held from from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
"It's one of the best (shows) in the region according to the exhibitors," said Dale Hoff, board member of the International Crop Expo. "That's because it's a molding of three separate shows."
The Expo was founded on small grains, soybeans and potatoes, but the show has expanded to include more information about other crops grown in the area, such as corn and canola, Hoff said.
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Last year the International Crops Expo brought in nearly 5,000 people.
"The show draws a nice audience, from Canada, northwest Minnesota and central North Dakota down to a couple hundred miles south of Grand Forks," Hoff said.
The show features a speaker, seminar topics, machinery and exhibits.
Speaker
At 1 p.m. Feb. 20 keynote speaker economist David Kohl will give an analysis of trends from technology to economics that are affecting agriculture.
Kohl's topic is "Mega trends of agriculture in an age of turbulence: Energy, global markets, land values and technology. . .What do they mean to the ag industry?"
"Part of his presentation is about five positive trends in farm economics, how volatility can create opportunity," said Jean Johnson, marketing communications consultant, AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Grand Forks.
Another portion of Kohl's presentation will be the emphasis of the next farm bill.
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Kohl is a dynamic speaker who was well-received the first time he was at the Expo; he's well versed in ag economics, Johnson said.
Kohl is a retired professor from the department of agriculture and applied economics at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.
Seminars
Seminars begin Feb. 20 and continue Feb. 21 and are split into three programs each day. There will be seminars on small grains, soybeans and potatoes.
The topics are different each day and are presented by experts who mainly work for the extension services in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Topics include marketing, handling the crops, diseases, new varieties, weeds and strip tillage.
Machinery
The variety of equipment used to grow the crops also is an important part of the expo.
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The broad range of exhibitors are there to meet any agriculture production needs, Hoff said.
"The Expo has every large machinery manufacturer, from Case IH, John Deere and Caterpillar, to the individual businessman," he said.
