SIXTY YEARS OF WISCONSIN FARM PROGRESS (TECHNOLOGY) DAYS

Rough Draft 8-13-2014

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days was initially designed to take the university research findings to the Wisconsin citizens on a functioning farm during an outdoor show. The mission of the show was to promote technologies in agriculture and related industries and provide leadership development and education through businesses, industry and agencies.

The concept for the outdoor farm show was first envisioned by Henry Ahlgren in 1952 when he was chair of Farm and Home Week, an event for farmers to learn about the research findings by university researchers. This event had long been held at the University of Wisconsin Campus in Madison. Ahlgren envisioned a larger event, where both exhibitors and farmers could participate and learn about the latest agricultural advances. Ahlgren indicated the rapid growth of the university was proving to be problematic, especially with regard to parking.

Figure 1952- . Henry Ahlgren

Ahlgren said, “It became almost impossible to get farm people to drive into Madison when there wasn’t any place to park.” In 1952, several agencies, including cooperative Extension, formed a corporation called Wisconsin Farm Progress Days, Inc. An early goal for the show was to have located on an active farm and move it around the state. The corporation had a board of directors which sets the policies for operation of the show which provides consistency from year to year. Volunteers in the host county provide the workforce to plan and conduct the show. Representative from agencies initially involved on the state board are listed in Table 1, including the agency representative in 1953.

Since that time agency names have changed and six additional representatives have been added: host farmer, farmer and four exhibitors representing crops, livestock, machinery and construction.

Table 1. List of agencies and their representatives in 1954

Wisconsin State Department of Agriculture Art Kurtz College of Agriculture, Extension Service Henry Ahlgren College of Agriculture, Home Economics Ext. Service Blanche Lee Soil Conservation Service M. F. Schweers Farmers Home Administration Tom Pattison Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service W. R. Merriman State Board of Vocation and Adult Education M. W. Cooper Wisconsin Conservation Department, Lester Voigt State Association of District Supervisors Orrie Shiffer State Soil Conservation Committee Foster Patch State Department of Public Instruction D. Watson

The Articles of Incorporation were approved June 21, 1954. The purpose of the corporation to promote agriculture and permanent agriculture for Wisconsin by conducting in communities of the state, farm progress days etc.

The first Board of Directors meeting was held June 28, 1954 when Henry Ahlgren was elected chair and Arthur Kurtz, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, was elected vice-chair. Al Wojta was elected general manager-secretary-treasurer.

Another event which provided a springboard for the show was the National Plowing Contest which was held near Augusta, WI in 1953. The moldboard plow was the most common primary tillage implement in those years. Competitive events for the contestants included level land and contour plowing. Plowing contests were an important element of the early shows.

Figure 1953-1. National Plowing Contest near Augusta, WI

The Board of Directors designed the show to move throughout the state with a host county providing the local leadership and the board established policies for the conduct of the show to provide consistency from year to year. The board selects a county for each year usually three years in advance of the projected show dates. The county show management is provided by a county executive committee with members being county volunteers. The County Extension office serves as a focal point for the committee’s activities and a county extension educator serves as the committee secretary. The executive has 12 to 18 members representing various population sectors of the county. This committee must manage and select members of about fifteen committees which direct specific activities associated with the show.

Each year the county will design a logo, theme and show which highlights the agriculture in their county. This provides an opportunity to promote their county agriculture and associated agribusinesses. 1954 and 1955 - Waupaca

The first show, Farm Progress Days 1954, was held at the Robert Mundinger, Arthur Schuelke and Mrs. Leona Vaughan farms, near the Manawa, a village In Waupaca County. In 1954, the show was scheduled for September 30 and October 1, Thursday and Friday. Parking and a few tents were also located at the Schuelke farm. The estimated attendance was 15,000, which was much less than planned. Financially, the show was a success with an unexpended balance of $500.

During a meeting December 22, 1954, the state board reviewed the results of the 1954 show and considered it a ‘flop’. This was based on the wet soil conditions in 1954 (8.8 inches of rain during the week of the show), show attendance and competition with the National Mechanical Corn Picking Contest held in Wisconsin. Numerous farm machinery manufacturers did not want to exhibit at both events. Nonetheless the board recommended continuation of the event. The board suggested the educational exhibits be in the center of the show site and started planning shows three years into future. They recommended the next shows be in southern and western Wisconsin. The board decided to continue the show and extended an invitation to the Waupaca County group to host the 1955 show.

Figure 1954-1. Machinery exhibit.

They also decided political parties are able to participate in the event but they must purchase exhibit space and are not allowed to distribute literature outside of their exhibit area. The board established a revolving fund of $500 with funding sources to be determined.

The 1955 show was scheduled for September 27-28, Tuesday and Wednesday. This is the only time this show was held in the same county in two successive years. The Vaughan’s milked about 40 cows and had 120 acres. Schuelke had 300 acres and 80 cows. Mundinger’s had 120 acres which were cash cropped and used for their logging business. Later the Mundinger’s farm was purchased by the Vaughn’s.

The event was held in conjunction with the state plowing contest. The moldboard plowing competition consisted of five plowing events: youth level land, youth contour (conservation), adult level land, adult contour (conservation) and two way plows. Besides the plowing competition, the second year of the show featured competition among three forage harvesters. According to one of the Vaughn’s, during a part of the forage harvester demonstration, iron was run through each of the harvesters. The impact of the iron was not reported. Metal detectors were not available for the harvesters at the time of this show.

Other field demonstrations were deep tillage, land forming, plowing out terraces, deep fertilizer trials, terrace building, and pasture renovation.

Figure 1955-1 Youth level land winner was from Manitowoc County.

Educational exhibits during the show included pasture renovation, uses of electricity on the farm, maple tree management and syrup production, bulk milk handling, stone fence burial, woodland management, wildlife planting, alfalfa seeded in wide corn rows, nitrogen fertilizer application rates, tractor rollover prevention, soil erosion, A.D.A. program, seed corn and plant food.

Figure 1955-2. One educational exhibit was stone fence removal.

Other youth activities besides plowing were youth tractor operator’s contest and land judging.

Heritage exhibits were an important element of the early shows as well as recent shows. In Waupaca County, 1955, agricultural history was an exhibit including a team of draft animals being demonstrated.

Figure 1955-3. Draft animals at the 1954 Show with Allis Chalmers exhibit in the background.

The results of the 1955 show were reported during a state board meeting on February 13, 1956 when attendance was estimated to be 25, 000 (8600 cars and 12 school buses) and weather conditions were considered ideal. The ‘Pageant of Progress’ and tractor tipping demonstrations were highlights of the show. Due to dry weather during the growing season, the field trials were ineffective. The youth program was well planned but was not considered strong. The revolving fund of $492.40, primarily on loan from the State Soil Conservation Committee, was loaned to the county but only $218.20 were recovered. This shortfall was created by fewer exhibitors than expected, more funds were provided to farm hosts, additional costs were incurred in establishing the competition area and more ambitious plans by county committees. The procurement of additional funds for the revolving funds was recommended. 1956 - Jefferson

The 1956 Wisconsin Farm Show was held in Jefferson County on the Ward Brothers and Craig Beane farms, near Fort Atkinson, September 25-26, Tuesday-Wednesday. The Ward’s operated in partnership having 270 acres and 160 dairy cows. Features of the Ward farm were barn hay drying, barnyard paving, farm home, sudan grass plot, portable hog wallow and hog parasite control. Features of the Beane farm were barn hay drying, new automatic poultry house, raspberry plot and orchard improvement.

Figure 1956-1. Paving barnyard on Ward farm for the show.

An estimated 35,000 people attended the show. Displays and demonstrations included corn fertilization, deep tillage, wide-row corn, orchard management, weed control, corn varieties, strip grazing, woodlot management, insect control, heavy and light farm machinery, terracing, poultry management and dairy herd improvement testing. A plow capable of plowing 21 inches deep with a plowing width of eight feet was exhibited. Exhibits in an agricultural tent included 4-H and FFA exhibits, conservation posters from rural schools, poultry, dairy herd improvement, bulk milk coolers and soil bank.

Women’s programs were a part of this show which focused on meat cutting and quality meats, dairy products, home economic careers, consumer education and research and food preparation.

A conservation tent included a number of exhibits, wildlife, Smoky the Bear, carp, watersheds, pheasants and rabbits on the farm, home grown lumber uses, and a ‘Talking Warden’.

Youth and adults competed in the level land and contour plowing matches and adults only participated a two-way plowing match. Two and one row corn picking competition was held. First place awards ranged from $15 for corn picking to $25 for the adult plowing matches. The awards were presented on a platform (stage). The Fort Atkinson and Jefferson High Schools performed on this stage during the show. Over 500 youth participated in the land judging contest. The tractor operator’s contest was not conducted during the show due the late date of the show.

Figure 1956-2. Youth plowing contestant during the 1956 show.

Board of Director Minutes were not available. 1957 – Juneau

The 1957 show, referred to as Farm Progress Days and Plowing Matches near Mauston, was on Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Franke and son, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Fritz, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Ritland and sons, Robert Wells, LeRoy Johnson and Phil Quinn farms. Other farmers assisting with event were Mr. and Mrs. Chet Wells, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Herb Walters and Art Overgaard. The 1957 show was held September 24-25, Tuesday-Wednesday.

Tent city and corn demonstrations were on the Fritz farm which consisted 210 acres with 75 head of Holsteins. Wells and Johnson families farmed in partnership having 85 acres and 30 Brown Swiss dairy cows. Quinn had a farm of 273 acres.

An estimated 40,000 or 50,000 people attended the show depending on the information source. Seventy-five bale wagons were used on two tours, one tour being four miles. Tent city covered 27 acres with seventy-two exhibitors. There were fifty different demonstrations. Several politicians were on hand during the show.

This show featured one of the first pole building displays in the country. Other features of this show were stream bank and pasture renovation, legume demonstrations, pasture irrigation, bees and honey, wide-row corn, fighting forest fires, broiler production and barn remodeling. Other educational exhibits were farm safety (Mayo Clinic), land smoothing, strip cropping, meadow renovation, ditching for water removal, tree planting, miniature saw mill and a women’s program.

Figure 1957-1. Aerial view of the 1957 show.

The plowing contests were a major feature of the show. The events were youth level land, youth contour, adult level land, adult contour and two-way plowing. The number entering the contests was down, ten in the adult events and six in the youth events.

Figure 1957-2 Plowing contest Youth land judging competition attracted 34 teams and 350 students. The West Bend team won the competition. An all-girls team competed and reportedly scored well above average.

The 1957 received national interest from Life Magazine. A special platform was fabricated by Midland Coop for the Life photographers to improve view of the show.

Figure 1957-3. Life magazine photographers on platform built with support from Midland Coop.

Board of Director Minutes were not available. 1958 - Lafayette

Highlights: First three day show Self-propelled Forage Harvester first demonstrated The show was held on the shores of Yellowstone Lake Boat rides were provided Water show was presented A major feature of the 1958 show was a self-propelled forage harvester. The hosts for the 1958 show were Morris and Milford Gabioud, Ted Tollackson, Arne Finehart and Ralph Curtis. The Gabioud Farm consisted of 290 acres and 85 Holstein cows. In 1958, the show was extended from two days to three days, September 26-28, Friday – Sunday. The 1958 show was a change from previous shows which were two days. All subsequent shows have been scheduled for three days.

The three days of the show were designated as youth, agriculture and conservation/recreation days respectively, September 26-28. The show was held adjacent to Yellowstone Lake near Argyle, which provided an opportunity to have the Tommy Bartlett Show. In addition boat exhibitors provided free boat rides on Yellowstone Lake.

The adult and youth plowing contests were held. With this Friday through Sunday show, religious services, catholic and protestant, were held.

The focus of the Women’s program was food preparation including outdoor cooking, fish and wild game cooking and preserving game and wildlife. On youth day, land judging competition was held and the Argyle High School band and the New Glarus Yodlers performed. Conservation tours were provided for grade school students from Dane, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette counties.

Figure 1958-1. Yellowstone Lake and a portion of tent city.

Show visitors were transported to field demonstrations and to farm buildings using flatbed bale wagons with visitors sitting on hay bales.

Some of the field demonstrations were wheel track planting, pasture renovation, pasture irrigation diversion terraces, firearms demonstration, fish management, and barn remodeling. Some educational exhibits in tent city were tractor tipping demonstration, fly control in beef, youth education, Wisconsin Conservation, mastitis control, rodent control, and Historical Society. Visitors were able to view sorghum, corn, soybeans and dwarf corn plots and corn and pasture fertility plots. The local historical society had a tent with numerous Lafayette County exhibits.

Figure 1958-2. Flatbed bale wagons transporting show visitors.

The state board meeting minutes for 1958 were unavailable. 1959 – Marinette

Highlights: A trout stream flowed nearby Cooking fish was a feature Forestry was a major focus of the show

All previous shows were fall shows featured corn. Scheduling the show in early summer permitted the demonstration of hay harvesting. Marinette County was one of the most northern Wisconsin shows which included forestry as well as forages. Hosts farmer was Carl Schroeder, Jr. near Wausaukee. Schroeder had 300 acres and raised 40 Holsteins and 160 polled Herefords. Before the show, a concrete stave silo was constructed. Haying and land clearing demonstrations were featured during the show. Logging was done on a nearby 40 acre pine woodlot which was state owned. The 1959 show was held June 30 – July 2, Tuesday – Thursday, which coincided with first crop hay making in those days. The estimated attendance was 30,000 to 40,000.

Weather conditions limited the hay harvesting during the show. Schroeder indicated much the hay had to be harvested after the show. Pulp wood and timber harvesting and land clearing demonstrations were available.

Figure 1959-1. Sawmill operating during the 1959 show.

Tuesday, June 30, was designated as family day, when exhibits included fish shocking, fish cookery, house remodeling, soil judging, and venison cookery. A trout stream was adjacent to the show site which was convenient for the fish shocking demonstration. A remodeled farm home was available for touring. The UW Colleges had a tent designated for their use for the first time. Extension specialists were available to answer various agricultural related questions.

Wednesday, July 1, was designated as Farm-Home-Conservation Day and Thursday, July 2, was designated as Wisconsin Day. Many of the featured program were the same for each day.

A Paul Bunyan Barbeque was available in a park near Crivitz in the evening on Wednesday evening. Numerous parks and lakes were nearby for fun and recreation. Log rolling and other water sports were exhibited.

The 1959 state board of directors meeting minutes were not available.

1960 – Wood – Crossroads of Agriculture

The site of the 1960 show, August 5-7, (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) was near Marshfield on the Wood County Hospital, Marshfield Agricultural Research Station and the Wood County Fairgrounds. Forage harvesting and land leveling were featured during the show. The county fairgrounds served as the site for tent city and 200 acres at the hospital farm and research station was used for parking and demonstrations. A major attraction at this was a bale thrower.

The attendance at this show was estimated to be 30,000 and 40,000 people. The number of exhibitors was 312, which set a record. Since this show went through Sunday, religious services (Catholic and Protestant) were held Sunday morning. The primary focus of field demonstrations was forage harvesting, both bales and hay silage. Equipment demonstrated were mowers, rakes, windrowers, self-unloading wagons and hay pelleting machine. One machine receiving much attention was a tractor operating in reverse with a mounted mower conditioner. This afforded the operator with a good view of the mounted machine. Chainsaw demonstrations were conducted and visitors were able to operate the chainsaw.

Figure 1960-1. A show visitor operating a chainsaw with is three brothers observe.

A special land forming demonstration was conducted in memory of AL Woijta, the first general manager of Wisconsin Farm Progress Days, who passed away at age 50 in 1959. His expertise as an extension specialist provided education programs on land drainage using land forming equipment. This land forming is very useful in the soils in central Wisconsin near the show site. About 150 acres was available for land forming creating waterways. Other related equipment demonstrated were stone pickers and two-way plows, minimizing dead furrows in the fields.

Figure 1960-2. Land forming equipment being demonstrated during the show.

A model home constructed on the research station was to be a design for future farm homes. Later, the house served as the home for the station superintendent. Very little information was available on other women’s programs. Nearly forty teams of FFA and 4-H students participated in the land judging competition. The Wisconsin Dells team was the winner. About 150 students participated.

On Saturday, August 5, the local police received two telephone calls threatening the life of Alice in Dairyland while was participating in a program on a show stage. The local police escorted her to her local hotel and she left Marshfield under police cover and returned to Madison.

The state board expressed concern regarding counties attempting to ‘out-do’ preceding counties largely based on attendance. They believed this should come to an end and attendance will not be the only ‘yardstick’ used in measuring the show’s success. Members of the board were encourage to insure participation from the local staff and from neighboring states when the show was near a state lines i.e. Illinois for Rock County. The state board officers are Ahlgren, chair, Kurtz, vice-chair and Burcalow, General Manager. AL Woijta, the previous general manager, passed away at age 50. He served in this position when show started until his untimely death.

1961 - Rock – Your Showcase of Agriculture

The 1961 show in Rock County was held in the fall, October 4-6, Wednesday – Friday. October 7 was designated as a rain date. The show was hosted on the Donald Lang and Ronald Dougan farms near Beloit where the attendance was estimated at 250,000. Lang was recognized in the Midwest for his Poland China hogs. He farmed 500 acres and had 700 hogs and 200 head of beef cattle. Before the show, Lang installed a new beef feeding system and a poured concrete yard.

Figure 1961-1. Aerial view of the 1961 show site.

Field demonstrations included tillage, corn picking, forage harvesting, stalk shredding, corn shelling, wheel track planting, land forming, rate of seed planting, and pasture renovation. Other demonstration in the farmstead area included hay drying, barn yard fencing, corn drying, chain saw operation and dairy equipment-parlors, radioactive fallout shelter, bulk cooling and milk pipelines.

The women’s program was scheduled in the Farm Home and Family tent which included such programs as Kitchens That can Lighten and Brighten Your Work, Fantasy of Foods, Fashions, Fabrics and You and Using Poultry and Eggs in Your Meals. Small appliance demonstrations took place in this tent.

As for youth, the first day, Wednesday, was designated as ‘Youth and Governor Day’. Land judging contest was conducted in the morning and results were presented in the afternoon. The top team for the fifth year in a row was Wisconsin Dells which received the AL Woijta Award, in memory of the first general manager of the show. Boy scouts, future homemakers, FFA, farm bureau youth and 4-H had exhibits in the youth tent.

On Wednesday, a lamb barbeque was featured and on Thursday, a pork barbeque. No information was available regarding a Friday barbeque.

Figure 1960-2. Each day the show closed with the Stand Rock Indian Ceremonial in 1961.

At the state board meeting, chair Ahlgren expressed concern the estimated attendance numbers were increasing each year and that each county was attempting to out-do the preceding county. Since attendance a yard stick measurement of a show’s success, this procedure may leads problems in the future.

During the 1961 state board meeting county executive committee members were voted to be ‘ex official members of the state board for the year preceding their show. Since the 1961 show in Rock County was near Illinois and the 1962 show in Dunn County was near Minnesota, federal agencies in those county were encouraged to contact their respective agencies across state line for cooperation. The board members encourage an exhibit regarding civil defense be included in the show.

1962 – Dunn – Dairy and Forages

The 1962 show, July 8-10, (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) was held near Menominee at the Dunn County Fairgrounds and the John Dale and Lloyd Kothlow farms. The show site was on highways 12 and 29. Kothlow had 60 dairy cows and 180 acres of cropland, raising corn, oats and alfalfa. Dale had 72 Guernseys and 350 acres. A barn cleaner and a silo unloader were installed on the Kothlow farm. Apparently the need for the barn cleaner was reportedly greater due to the grass silage harvested during the field demonstrations. Later the UW-Stout Foundation purchased the Dale farm.

Figure 1962-1. Chevy exhibit at the 1962 show.

The field demonstrations involved harvesting forage as bales and hay silage. Other field demonstrations included a machine to place poison under the soil surface to kill gophers, a perennial problem on farms in Northwestern Wisconsin. A tree transplanter developed by UW-Madison researchers was demonstrated, showing the mechanization of this planting operation. A fencing machine requiring two people demonstrated how a machine would drive fence posts and unroll fence and tighten the wire. Bus tours were provided to the Connell Sunridge Orchards, which is the home of the Connell Red and Fireside apples. Tours were conducted twice each day of the show.

Figure 1962-2. Machine to place poison in soil to kill gophers.

Figure 1962-3. Fencing machine demonstration.

Once again the first day was designated as the Youth and Governor’s Day. High school student participated in a land judging contest. The top team received $100 and the top three teams receive an Al Woijta traveling trophy.

The women’s tent had a variety of presentations and demonstrations. Examples are Care and Selection of Cookware, Dairy Products in Revue, Small Electrical Equipment, Wonderful Wisconsin Cheese, and From Mutton Leg Sleeves to the Space Age.

A special parade took place on Saturday, the middle day of the show featuring Miss Wisconsin, Alice In Dairyland, twenty-two Alice candidates and floats from Menominee and surrounding area. One hundred-fifty units made up the parade in front of the Dunn County fairgrounds grandstand. Another special feature of the show was a tour of the Mabel Tainter Theatre in downtown Menominee, which dates back to the late 1800’s.

During the 1962 state board meeting, the practice of sending ‘certificates of recognition’ to exhibitors was approved to be continued. The Rock County (1961) committee provided their electrical wire for use by Dunn County. Members of the Dunn County Committee were approved as ex-officio members of the state board. The board discussed to establishment of an advisory committee consisting of exhibitors representing the various segments of the agricultural industries. The state board passed a resolution establishing the minimum insurance requirements for the host counties. The coverage was to be year around and for bodily injury liability at $100,000 per person and $500,000 per accident and property damage liability of $50,000 per accident. The insurance was to cover the state board and the county committees and was estimated to cost between $650 and $750 per year.

1963 – Vernon

Featured at the 1963 show, July 26-28 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) were small grains, hay and tobacco harvesting and conservation demonstrations. Numerous watersheds projects were completed in Vernon County and tours of the Bad Axe and Coon Creek were provided. The show was held near Viroqua on the Vernon County Fairgrounds and County Farm. The farm consisted 600 acres with 120 Holsteins as well as hogs, beef, poultry and tobacco. The farmstead included a loose housing facility and an eight stall herringbone milking parlor. The notable machine in the hay harvesting demonstrations was the mower conditioner. Considered a newer practice at the time was harvesting hay as a low moisture silage and storing it in a silo. Grain harvesting was also a part of the field demonstrations.

In addition to the two watersheds, bus tours included Tri State Breeders Cooperative, Harold Munson farm (dairy with milking parlor and loose housing system), and the Snowflake Ski Hill. Wagons were used to transport visitors to the field demonstrations on the Vernon County farm.

The women’s program theme was Gardening and Landscaping. Topics discussed by UW Madison Extension Specialists included Garden Pesticides, Lawn and Garden Care, Culture of Annuals, Landscaping the Yard and Culture of Perennials. The mink farmers of Wisconsin had display showing production practices. Each day, a mink stole was given to show visitor. 333 Other activities during the show were evening street entertainment in downtown Viroqua arranged by the Viroqua Chamber of Commerce.

Vernon County, formerly Bad Axe County, has a rich history in agriculture. The first Secretary of U. S. Department of Agriculture in 1899 was Jeremiah Rusk, who the former Wisconsin Governor and former Vernon County Sheriff and Coroner. The Coon Creek watershed, completed in 1933, was the first large scale demonstration selected by the U. S. Soil Conservation Service.

Figure 1963-1. An example of strip cropping commonly found in Vernon County.

The value of press day was discussed due to lack of support from local weekly newspapers but the board approved to continue the press day event, which is scheduled five to six weeks before the show. The board approved to change the insurance coverage to include county committee planning future shows, Randall Swanson, the state safety extension specialist became the show’s general manager succeeding Vic Burcalow.

1964 – Dodge

The 1964 show, October 6-8, (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) was held at the Dodge County Fairgrounds near Beaver Dam. Additional land was provided by Hazen Canniff, Ed Stegner and Dudley Huettner. Huettner provided 100 acres of his 160 acres for the show, primarily for field demonstrations. Stegner’s provide 60 acres. A unique feature of this show was the sand blasting and recoating of a silo. The Wisconsin Corn Picking contest with twenty-eight participants, was conducted during the show. A major focus of this fall was the versatility of corn and its many uses beside animal feed. Four categories listed were corn starch, corn solubles, corn gluten and corn germ. Two hundred commercial participated in the show. Electronic computers were exhibited with corn production cost guides. Corn combines, picker-shellers, pickers and choppers were demonstrated. A new and unusual machine, picker-chopper, demonstrated, harvested the corn cobs from one row and the whole corn plant from the adjacent row. The ears and whole plant materials were mixed and chopped creating a silage with twice the grain content. This machine was not well received on the market. Moldboard plows and other tillage machines were also demonstrated.

Extension staff address milking equipment issue, especially vacuum line size and it impact on milking equipment efficiency and milk quality problems related to mastitis. Extension specialist hog and beef production exhibits discussed feed rations and slotted floors.More tham 150 corn varity from twenty seed companies were grown in plots for visitors to evaluate. Extension specialists planted corn plot to demonstrate the impact of weed control, fertility, plant population and stalk rot. Alfalfa, soybeans and sorghum plots were also available.

The women’s program dealt with food and clothing with activities in the women’s tent.. Home economists arranged presentations: What’s New in Cooking, Choosing Your Laundry Equipment, Care of Today’s Fabrics, Cooking Carnival, Food Magic, More from your Clothes Dryer, and Efficient Laundry Equipment. At the end of each day a fashion show was held.

The annual soil judging contest was held. No results were reported.

Each political party, democratic and republican, was provided an opportunity to present a program on the fairgrounds grandstand.

Figure 1964-1. Judges collecting any losses from a contest corn picker

The board asked the general manger to explore the availability of standby generators for the show. The Governor of South Dakota sent a letter to the Governor of Wisconsin inviting Wisconsin’s participation in their plowing contest. The Wisconsin Governor referred the invitation to the state board. The board declined the invitation since the plowing contests are no longer a part of this show. The liability insurance coverage established during 1962 was to be doubled from $100,000 to $200,000 for individual and $500,000 to one million for each accident.

1965 – Manitowoc – Forages and Marketing

The theme of the 1965 show, June 17-19, (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) was ‘Forages and Marketing. The show was held on the Manitowoc County Hospital Farm and A.F. Smith and Sons Farm and Oscar Roberts Farm near Manitowoc. The Smith’s had about 40 Guernsey cows and 100 acres of cropland. They also operated a feed mill and a grocery store. A new metal, sealed storage silo was constructed on the Smith farm and filled with alfalfa silage during the show.

Although it was a dry year, hay harvesting and plowing were features of the show. Eighteen forage harvesters were demonstrated in the field. New machines featured at the show were a hay fluffer and self-propelled mower-conditioner, forage harvester and forage wagon. Some machines such as this wagon did not prove successful on the market. A metal sealed storage silo was introduced during this show. The 225 companies and 98 manufacturers exhibited more $15 million of equipment. The estimated value to the county was estimated to be $1 million.

Figure 1965-1. Self-propelled forage wagon.

Figure 1965-2. A bale firing machine was demonstrated.

Information on the women’s and youth programs was not available.

At the 1965 state board meeting, Manitowoc County representative reported no speaking programs are planned for the 1965 show, supported by the board, previous shows had entertainment programs. A memorandum defining the agreement between the state board and the county committee was recommended. As a part of the memorandum was no political platforms be allowed during the show. The intent of this memorandum was to provide the county the major responsibility of managing the show and to provide some constraints to insure some consistency from one show to the next. It also set lot rental rates which was $80 for a 25 by 50 lot with $20 going to the state board. The state board will provide surety insurance for the financial officers at the county. Liability and fire insurance was to county committees from the time of acceptance until all show activities have been completed. Contracts will be signed by the host farm owner and they will receive insurance coverage. At the completion of the show, the county’s financial records will be audited.

1966 – Adams

The show (August 23-25, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) was held in the town of Lincoln on the Glenn and Dorothy Frozene farm which consisted of 440 acres and 50 milk cows. Growing vegetables was a major component of their operation. Later the host farmers installed a center pivot irrigation system.

Irrigation, plowing, minimum tillage, seeding of rye and alfalfa, and silo filling demonstrations were conducted. Although silo filling was demonstrated, it appeared no forage harvesting was demonstrated. Silo repair was conducted on one of the farms. Pasture demonstration were available.

This was one of the first shows to feature mechanical cucumber harvesting. Five cucumber harvesters were demonstrated. An estimated 125 people hand picking cucumber were replaced by one machine Vegetable and corn variety plots were used to compare irrigated and non-irrigated management practices. A popular attraction was a tractor with 41 inch tires and with front wheel assist pulling a ten bottom moldboard plow.

The women’s program featured two issues: canning demonstrations and the lady and the pesticide label.

Figure 1966-1. Host farm buildings

Figure 1966-2. Cucumber harvester will replace 125 people hand picking the vegetable.

Board has concern low population density, no large towns, very few local exhibitors. Transportation of show visitors was a safety issue using the current wagon trains and special wagon trains can be constructed with greater safety for visitors. If not, buses should be used. The three year format (early summer, mid-summer and fall) was to be continued. No sanctions for a Sunday shows was approved.

1967 – Grant

This fall show, October 10-12(Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday), was held near Lancaster on the Stan and Ralph Noble farm. The Nobles raised corn, hay and small grains on their 350 acre farm. An all- electric home was a major feature of the show and was available for viewing during the show and two weeks after the show. The farm was located adjacent to the county fairgrounds, which easily facilitated livestock exhibits. Another highlight was a well drilling demonstration on the Noble farm. Field demonstrations featured corn harvesting, nearly twelve combines, and tillage. Side by side corn driers were demonstrated. An area was designated as corn alley which had about ten acres of corn variety plots. Adjacent to corn alley were fertility and population trials. Information was provided on disease, insect and weed control. Other educational exhibits were provided by agricultural agencies and livestock groups. The state corn picking contest was conducted during the show.

Land judging was held during the show with an associated headquarters. A tent was designated for women’s exhibits.

The estimated attendance was 120,000 people. The remaining shows have been on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Figure 1967-1. Grain drier demonstration.

Figure1967-2. Corn combine demonstration The board continued to have concerns regarding the celebrities at the 1967 show in Adams where apparently automobiles had large signs promoting some politicians seeking election and some other unpleasant activities not described in the documents. The general manager was requested to strengthen the county memorandum to deal with this issue. The board did not receive any applications from any counties to host the show in 1969. The general manager was asked to seek an application from a county in the Northeastern, Fox Valley area. This area was chosen because the two preceding show would have been in the southwest and northwest. They also looked forward to 1970 and authorized the general manager to invite Dane County to apply.

1968 – Chippewa

This early summer show, June 25-27, featured hay harvesting. Heavy rains fell during the show which hampered show activities. A visitor who attended all previous shows indicated this was the wettest show to date. It rained 10 days before the show and mud was 1.5 to 2.0 feet deep in the tent area. Additional problems occurred when the forage crop was past optimum maturity at the time of the show. Nearly 400 lots were sold in tent city. Another problem occurred at the end of the show was a missing display tractor which was later located in Missouri. The show was located on the Chippewa County farm which had about 120 milk cows and 700 acres.

An erosion control dam was constructed during the show designed to control soil erosion. The construction required 6000 cubic yards of soil to create the twenty-two foot high dam.

Hay harvesting equipment demonstrated were choppers, balers, rakes, windrowers and other hay equipment. Other demonstrations included a saw mill, freeze branding and tractor tipping. Improved operator safety was shown with the tipping tractor equipped with a roll over protective structure. Numerous plots were available which included alfalfa (seventeen varieties), oats (thirteen varieties), grass-alfalfa mixtures, barley, spring wheat, strawberries, beets, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, peas, radishes and spinach.

A new all electric home was available for tours. The women’s program included Fair Packaging and Labelling Act, New Development in Food Processing and Strawberry Varieties for Processing.

Youth activities included the annual soil judging contest with seventy teams competing.

Figure 1968-1. Wet street scene during the 1968 show.

An estimated 100,000 people attended which exceeded expectations given the wet conditions.

Board of Director Minutes were not available.

1969 – Brown

A year-long beef feeding program on the host farm was a major feature of this show, August 12-14. The feeding program involved a study of 1000 beef cattle which evaluated the impact of growth hormones on animal growth. The growth hormones proved effective with increased animal growth with less feed required. The host farm, Hillcrest Farm, owned by Eugene Haen, had 1,400 acres with 1,600 head of beef cattle with a cow-calf operation. For the show Haen had a sealed metal silo and a home constructed. Haen reported a wet spring caused a late planting of oats which swathed during the show and harvested. The showed featured 40 acres of tent city and an estimated attendance of 100,000 visitors.

Demonstrations include choppers, windrowers, rakes, blowers and grain drier. Two hundred acres are used for hay harvesting and 130 acres for harvesting oats. A special feature of this show was a crop zoo with plots and exhibits of crops not commonly found in Wisconsin but having production potential. . Examples of these crops were buckwheat, turnip, safflower, rape, flax, caster beans, peanut, mangold, triticale, and grain sorghum. In addition twenty seven small variety plots were available. Weed control and nitrogen fertilization plots provided opportunity to compare rates and other management practices. Other programs and demonstrations were conservation, tractor safety, women’s and youth.

Figure 1969-1. Drinking water is made available, free of charge, at every show.

Figure 1969-2. Early shows used horses in parking, later shows did not allow horses.

George Wright has become general manager of the show and Henry Ahlgren continues as the board chair. The board reviewed the state map and determined the 1972 show should be in Fond du lac, Winnebago, Outagamie, Calumet and Sheboygan counties, to be considered in that order. Brown County volunteers indicated the electrical wiring and entrance boxes were not up to code. The board recommended that $4,000 be allocated for new equipment and consultation with UW agricultural Engineers. The board considered expenditure of accumulated funds for holding farm forums on the three agricultural campus. This proposal was to be discussed with campus representatives.

1970 – Dane

An all-electric home was a major feature of this show, October 13-15, near Sun Prairies. At times during the show, visitors toured at an estimated rate of 500 visitors per hour. This fall show, had field demonstrations featuring corn picking and drying. Lloyd and Betty Krebs were the owners of the host farm. The Krebs have sold the farm and the all-electric house is used in 2014 but is no longer all electric.

Figure 1970-1. All electric home created much interest.

Figure 1970-2. Silos being constructed in tent city

The cost of the electrical system are rising in order to meet code. The lot rental rates were increased. As a follow-up to the proposed forums at the three state agricultural campuses (Madison, Platteville and River Falls), Chair Ahlgren reported he was unable reach campus representatives. The farm forum proposal was to be pursued during the following year.

The Brown County show was viewed as a success despite the added electrical costs. Dane county planning for the 1970 (Dane County) and 1971 (LaCrosse County) shows were going well. The county for 1972 will probably be Fond du Lac. Proposed counties for the 1973 show were Walworth, Iowa, Green, Sauk and Columbia, in that order for selection. The general manager will approach the county extension staff. The county memorandum was modified: the county committee pays the premium for liability and fire insurance, the state board pays for the workman’s compensation and insurance premiums for theft and loss of items owned by the state board, the state board will pay for surety bond for financial officers of the county committee and general manager and the state board will pay for annual audit of the state board’s financial records and the final audit of the county’s financial records. An annual kickoff banquet is to be held the evening prior to the show’s opening and paid by state board. Certificates of Recognition, signed by the chair and general manager, were to be made available to the county committee to recognize local people who have made significant contributions to the event. A state safety inspector raised safety concerns which were difficult to address and alternatives were discussed which included contacting Wisconsin’s Governor, ‘off the cuff’.

1971 – LaCrosse

The early summer show was moved to afford the harvest of second crop forage harvesting in July because of the more unpredictable weather in June. The dates were July 13-15. The show was hosted on the LaCrosse Lakeview County Farm because of road accessibility to major roads and soils. Eighty to 100 Holsteins, chickens and hogs were raised on this 500 acre farm. The show proceeds were used to construct the Farm Progress Building with an indoor show ring and sales area at the county fairgrounds.

The traditional hay harvesting equipment was demonstration on 150 acres. A new machine new to Wisconsin was the hay stacker, which produced six to eight ton stacks. To illustrate the unsafe tractor hitching, Agricultural engineers had a tractor tipping demonstration. One of the most extensive planting of crop plots where 24-alfalfa, 4-red clover, 14-grasses, 40-sorghum and millet and 14 small grain varieties.

Figure 1971-1. New hay stacker machine in field demonstration.

In the livestock area freeze branding was demonstrated. Twelve calf pens housed numerous cross bred beef heifers, some were considered exotic breeds.

Two new model all electric homes were available for tours. The nearby West Salem High School provided the site for the women’s programs which included Mealtime Magic with Dairy Product, Feeding the Gang, and Fashion Follows a Pattern. Women’s related exhibits were spinning wool and silk, wicker furniture, fabrics, nutrition, ceramics and art.

At the state board meeting Dane County representatives reported the 1970 show was successful and had an estimated attendance of 150,000 people. The success was due to the large interest in corn and a tremendous publicity effort. In addition to Wisconsin visitors, many visitor were from Minnesota and Illinois. The county schedule for hosting the show was modified where Sauk County was the 1972 host and Fond du Lac was the 1973 (previously scheduled to be the 1972 host). Marathon county people indicated an interest in hosting the 1974 show focusing on grasslands.

The general manager reported the board’s inventory was increasing which included electrical equipment, an American Flag, flag pole, four walkie-talkie radios and some display materials for the education tent. Accumulated fund uses discussed were farm forums, previously discussed at previous meetings, scholarships, and host county rural development. No decisions were made. The World Food and Agriculture Foundation staff proposed having one permanent site for state agricultural shows and exposition, including Wisconsin Farm Progress Days and the Wisconsin State Fair. No action was taken. 1972 – Sauk

The 1972, show, August 1-3, in Sauk County was another wet show on the Franz Wyttenbach farm near Sauk City. Only 17 of the 100 acres of oats was harvested during the show. The host farm consisted of 1,200 acres with 200 beef cattle and 1,000 hogs. For the show, Wyttenbach’s had two silos and 50 by 80 foot slatted beef cattle barn to house 200 beef cows. The pit below the slatted floors was designed to store six months of manure produced by the beef cattle.

Chisel plowing and subsoiling were part of the field demonstration as well as small grain combining.

Figure 1972-1. Subsoiling demonstration.

A family home was available for touring.

Figure 1972-1. Three bedroom all-electric home available for tours.

At the state board meeting, LaCrosse County reported they hosted the most successful show to date with an estimated attendance of 110,000. The county rented 439 lots and had a profit of $12,000. The Sauk County representatives reported plans were going well for 1972 with 450 lots expected to be rented. The show focus was going to small grain, swine and beef, all electric home, wildlife conservation and a women’s program. The 1973 show was going to feature corn and had ten farms apply to host the show. Marathon and Sheboygan counties applied to host the show. Marathon county was selected for 1974 and Sheboygan County for 1975. Required both counties to have $5,000 committed from their respective county boards for final approval. The educational tent was named the Farm Progress Days Exhibits. The state board approved a committee to investigate the potential for a legislative luncheon and tour on Tuesday during the show.

The state board approved policies relating to exhibits in the Home and Family Living tent. Policies included no commercial exhibits are allowed, exhibits should have reflect research findings and new developments, and the planning of the program and exhibits should include staff from extension and government agencies represented on the state board. 1973 – Fond du Lac – Fabulous Fond du Lac County

No-till corn plots were a relatively new feature at the show, October 9-11. Nonetheless, the 1973 show was wet with a three to four inch rain on the second day, creating a lake on tent city site. The rain water drained quickly and they were able to attract a large audience.

Figure 1973-1. Muddy street after three to four inch rain-Wednesday morning

The Tom Dooley farm in the Town of Fond du Lac was the host farm with fifty milk cows and 500 to 600 acres. Before the show Dooley purchased a drying system for the corn and had two grain bins and silo were constructed.

Figure 1973-2. New grain dryer and bins on host farm.

This was the first year of the legislative luncheon and tour which was considered successful with sixteen people attending. After the lunch at a local restaurant, a bus tour included the education tent and the model home on the host farm. The board approved the legislative luncheon for another year. This appears to be the first year of a high school guidance counselor tour designed to make the counselors more aware of the career opportunities related to agriculture, Visits were made to agribusinesses and government agencies hiring high school and college graduates. Evaluations by the thirty-six counselors participating in the tour were primarily positive. The board approved the guidance counselor tour be continued. A letter from Columbia county indicated their interest in hosting the 1976 show. Columbia County was approved pending a $5,000 commitment from their county board.

Previously the electrical work at the show was provided by a local electrician which created a few problems from show to show. By hiring an electrician, the benefits include electrical equipment maintenance, equipment storage and inventory and improved workmanship. The board approved an agreement with Brandywine Electric Company as the show electrician.

1974- Marathon – Marvelous Marathon County

Round bale hay harvesting was a new feature at the show, July 30 and 31 and August 1. The 1974 show, Stratford, was hosted by Kenneth and Richard Leick whose farm consisted of 340 acres and more than 100 Holsteins. A benefit the host farmers expressed was improved alfalfa varieties on soils having poor drainage. One of the host farmers said ”Growing alfalfa helped us the most”.More than 250 exhibitors participated in the show.

Figure 1974-1. A view of tent city and some of the host farm buildings. Forage choppers and mower-conditioners were the featured equipment in the field demonstrations. More than fifteen choppers were operated in the demonstrations. An estimated forty forage boxes required to serve these choppers. Blower were demonstrated at the farm silos.

Figure 1974-2. Forage choppers being demonstrated.

Specialists discussed numerous topic providing the most up to date information. In 1974 agricultural engineers were discussing manure digester for producing bio energy from dairy cow manure.

Figure 38. Extension specialist discussing an operational manure digester.

No information was available for Family Living and Youth programs at the show.

Representatives from Fond du Lac, Marathon and Sheboygan reported on their respective show. A major concern raised was the need for added revenue when they suggested an increase in lot rental fees. The guidance counselor tour was successful and was recommended for another year. Some suggested changes were reduce the tour to three days, move the tour around the state and encourage involvement from county extension agents in the area of the tour. The legislative tour was cancelled because the Wisconsin Legislature was in session during the show. The board approved hosting the legislative tour and luncheon during the 1974 show.

The state board received a proposal to establish a permanent site Arlington Agricultural Research Station and this site would be used by World Dairy Expo, State Fair and Materials Handling Show (A farm machinery show held in Madison). The board members were opposed to the permanent site proposal because they felt a need to move the show around the state and to view different agricultural enterprises and farms each year. The Ohio Science Review, a large outdoor farm show was cited for comparison which required additional staff and was struggling to make a profit. The state board turned down an invitation to join the Wisconsin Agri-Business Council.

Interest in hosting the 1977 show was received from Pepin and Crawford Counties. These conties were not selected and have not served as the host county through 2017. 1975- Sheboygan – Sensational Sheboygan County

Francis and Josephine Webb hosted the 1975 show, August 5-,) near Greenbush. Their farm consisted of 650 acres and 225 head of Registered Holsteins. A new home was constructed for the show.

Field demonstrations for this mid-summer show included grain combining and chopping the grain straw for bedding.

Figure 1975-1. Combining small grain and chopping grain straw.

Figure 1975-1. Moldboard plows lined up for demonstrations.

Figure 1975-3. Tent city in Sheboygan County

The Agribusiness counselor tour was successful in 1974 was considered successful and was continued in 1975. The legislative luncheon was attended by just ten legislators and was discontinued. The board recommended legislators be invited to the kick-off banquet on the Monday night of the show instead. After 22 years as chairman of the board of directors, Henry Ahlgren stepped down. Don Peterson was elected chair of the board, taking office after the meeting. Monroe and Trempealeau Counties requested to host the 1977 show. Trempealeau was selected for 1977 and Monroe County was selected for 1978 and was encouraged to emphasize conservation practices. General Manager Wright will resign following the 1976 show. Columbia County, 1976 host, was encouraged to include the bicentennial celebration in their planning. 1976 Columbia – Colorful Columbia County

The 1976 show (October 12-14) was held on the Dean Walker and Otto Christopherson farms near Wisconsin Dells. Christopherson constructed a a dry cow and heifer barn, silos and a house for the show. This show was characterized by the high winds which nearly blew the tents down. The show featured a bicentennial exhibit and the show attracted an estimated 165,000 visitors.

Figure 1976-1. Papec equipment exhibit

Figure 1976-2. Corn variety plots.

Board of Director Minutes were not available.

1977 Trempealeau – Land of Hills and Land Conservation Practices

The Trempealeau County Health Care Center Farm, located between Whitehall and Independence, served as the site for 1977 show, The farm consisted of 747 acres with 130 milking cows, 150 heifers, and 500 laying hens. Prior to the show a metal machine shed and a house were constructed. The house featured a wood constructed basement. The farm employed four full time workers plus about 20 health care residents. A 20 by 70 silo was constructed shortly before the show.

Field demonstrations featured forage harvesting and conservation tillage. Other demonstrations were field tiling, dam and diversion construction, hydro seeding and mulching, tractor and chainsaw safety, and portable sawmill. Other outdoor displays were forage variety plots, conservation and dairy.

Figure 1977-1. Forage harvesting demonstration.

Figure 1977-2. Mowing demonstration.

The Farm Progress Pavilion was staffed by state extension specialists discussing animal profit, heating and insulation, natural resources, forage issues (doctors), weed problems (doctors) and pesticide certification.

The Family Living Program consisted of presentations on food and health, farm estate planning, shopping sense, and happiness: a career as a farm wife. Exhibits in the Family Living Program were chair caning, creative art, designer macramé, food preservation, micro wave ovens, rosemaling, rug weaving, thorn wreaths and personalized stationary. A model home was constructed just before the show on the host farm and it was available for tours.

Board of Director Minutes were not available. 1978 Waupaca -

The show, August 1-3, returned to Waupaca County for the 25th show, The Roland Clinton Family farm, near Bear Creek. Prior to the show, Clintons added a machine shed, garage and shop. They operated 320 acres with 300 head of cattle. During the second day of the show, a heavy rain fell but the attendance was excellent.

Field demonstrations focused on forage harvesting which included mowing, chopping, baling and silo filing. Nine blowers were demonstrated during the show. Oats was harvested during the show. A stationary stack former, a new machine, created a large stack of forage. Oat straw harvesting was demonstrated followed by tillage. A sawmill produced cedar shingles. Tiling was conducted on the Waupaca County soils with poor drainage characteristics. Safety demonstrations were conducted on tractors, machinery, fire, snowmobile, and chain saw. Field plots available during the show were alfalfa varieties and crop and fertility. Tour of the new shop and machine shed, designed by extension agricultural engineers, were available during the show.

The Farm Progress Pavilion had specialists conducting clinics on animal profit, farm financing, energy conservation, land preservation, plant issues (doctors) and weed problems (doctors). Other activities and displays were legume varieties, grass varieties, sewage sludge, small grains, weed control, and whey application.

Educational programs on the Family Living program were Your Home Landscaping, What’s New in Food Science, The Joy Frugality, and Equal Rights for Homemakers. The exhibits in the Family Living tent were estate planning, household inventory, energy costs for major appliances, family concerns, insulating window treatments, cereal products in the diet, and your lifestyle may be hazardous to your health. Hearing tests were conducted daily.

Figure 1978-1. A done house was available for tours.

Figure 1978-2. Refrigerated trailers needed to maintain food quality.

Figure 1978-3. On warm days, visitors line up for drinking water.

Board of Director Minutes were not available. 1979 – Iowa – Golden Land – Corn and Cheese

Charles Mueller and Roger James farms served as the 1979 show, October 9-11. James had more than 100 dairy cows and operated 300 acres. Just before the James a new milking, double six herringbone, and new milk house constructed. His plan was to expand the herd to 175 milk cows. Alfalfa and corn were the field crops grown on the James farm. About three years after the show James sold the farm due to health reasons.

Charles and Evelyn Mueller had 420 acres and raised nearly 400 Holstein feeders. For the show, the constructed a consignment barn which had a slatted floor with ten foot deep manure pit under the floor. For crops Mueller had corn and alfalfa.

Harvesting shelled corn, corn silage and ground ear corn was the primary focus of the field demonstrations. Machines demonstrated were combines, stalk chopper, field shellers, whole plant choppers, balers, blowers, and silage bagger. The tillage machines demonstrated were chisel plows, large disks, and rotary tillers. Manure injection using whey the first two days and manure the third was demonstrated. Operating log splitters and wood burning furnaces drew a great deal of attention.

Figure 1979-1. Silage bagging demonstration.

Extension specialists in the Progress Pavilion staffed corn variety and fertility plots. Safety demonstrations were conducted on chainsaw operation, tractor tipping prevention, machinery fires, snowmobiles and lawnmowers. Energy conservation exhibits drew much attention with the rising fuel prices.

Each farm had an all-electric house constructed for tours during the show. Mueller’s built a three bedroom ranch house that was extremely well insulated and with much of the heating provided by solar collectors. This house was referred to as a rambling ranch design by UW Agricultural Engineers. James’ had dome two bedroom home constructed which was also well insulated.

Women’s program focused on food and clothing. The presentations were Update on Imitation cheese, International Costumes, The Changing Role of Farm Women, and Telling It Like It Is. Orion Samuelson was a featured speaker as part of the women’s program. Hearing tests were available to visitors.

The concept of a Wisconsin Farm Progress Days Booster Club originated during the show.

Figure 1979-2. Electric power poles were erected each year until 2006.

Figure 1979-3. About 100 acres of parking is needed.

Board of Director Minutes were not available. 1980 Monroe – Crossroads of Western Wisconsin

The Monroe show, July 15-17, was held on the Gerald Steinhoff and Howard Zastoupil farms near Tomah. The Steinhoff’s farm consisted of 150 acres with about 75 dairy cattle. They installed a new manure handling and storage system capable of eight months capacity. The system was referred to as a manure bank. Zastoupil milked 110 Guernsey cows in a stanchion barn and had 100 other livestock in a new loose housing facility on 550 acres of tillable land. He estimated the attendance to 125,000 to 130,000 people.

Second crop alfalfa forage was harvested during the field demonstrations. Machines operating in the field were mowers, mower-conditioners, self-propelled windrowers, forage chopper (low moisture silage), forage wagons, blowers, balers and bale handling equipment. Manure handling equipment was demonstrated at the Steinhoff farm.

Figure 1980-1. Sludge fertilization exhibit.

Figure 1980-2. Progress Pavilion showing the Pest Doctors exhibit.

An earth sheltered home was constructed for tours. The house had solar collectors with energy stored in heated rock bed behind the house. The heat stored in the rocks transferred through the furnace. Windows were designed so that the sunlight was directed to a black, heat absorbing floor in the living room. This stored heat was transferred to the bedrooms. Electric back up heat was available. Subjects presented in the Family Living tent were This Land Remembers, Visual Arts, Farmer Wife News and Wisconsin Trails.

Figure 1980-3. Earth sheltered house with numerous energy saving features.

Friends of Wisconsin Farm Progress Days, sometimes referred to as the Booster Club was established in 1980. Craig Beane, farm host in 1956, was the first president, Henry Prange, volunteer in Sheboygan county was the vice president, Greg Blaska, Dane County, was secretary and Evelyn Mueller was secretary.

Board of Director Minutes were not available.

1981 Outagamie – Heart of America’s Dairyland

A record attendance of 160,000 people were reported for the 1981 show, July 28-30. The show was hosted by Richard and Helen Van Epern near Kaukauna. A major attraction during the show was a newly constructed 25 by 80 foot silo. Van Eperns operated 302 acres with 150 milk cows. New farm shop, revamped milking parlor, earthen cattle mound and new manure systems were features to see on the farm. They were able harvest three cutting of alfalfa off the area used for tent city before the show.

Forages, oats and barley were harvested during the show. Mower conditioner, rakes, choppers, forage boxes, balers and blowers were machines in the forage harvesting. Combines and grain wagons were features in the small grain harvesting. Chiseling plowing and tiling were demonstrated. Safety demonstrations were conducted on tractors, chainsaws, and electrical equipment. Plots were available for demonstrating direct seeding of alfalfa, conservation tillage, sludge and whey application, fertility and small grain and legume varieties. A shingle was operated by the WI Department of Natural Resources.

The earthen cattle mound was designed and constructed to be a lower cost alternative to concrete/paved barnyard. The mounds were specially constructed to insure long life and better cow comfort than the paved yards.

Figure 1981-1. Exhibits in tent city. Board of Director Minutes were not available. 1982 Portage – Home of the Golden Sands Heartland

The Golden Sands of Central Wisconsin served as an excellent site for the 1982 show, October 12-14, near Almond in Portage County. The host farm owned by James Burns and Sons consisted of 5,000 acres where they raised 1,800 registered Simmentals and potatoes. Filed demonstrations featured the harvest of 220 acres of corn and 70 acres of soybeans and potatoes. Integrated pest management was being developed and used on the Burns farm. At this time farm machinery companies were merging, leaving fewer machine brands available on the market.

Shelled corn, silage and soybeans were harvested during the show. Combines, choppers, stalk shredders, stalk balers, blowers and grain dryers were demonstrated during the show. Potato harvesters were also demonstrated in this potato growing area of Wisconsin. Tillage equipment were chisel plows, large disks and powered tillers. Safety demonstrations involved chainsaws, machines, electrical equipment, and skid steer loaders. Planter were demonstrated in no-till and reduced till soil conditions. Corn and soybean variety plots were available to visitors. Sewage sludge plots demonstrated the impact of the sludge on corn yields.

Figure 1982-1. Soybean harvesting demonstration.

Figure 1982-2. Potato harvesting demonstration.

Figure 1982-3. Grain drying and handling systems.

Extension and other agency staff addressed numerous topics in the Progress Pavilion: grain marketing, energy, natural resources, animals, diseases, insects, weeds, infrared forage analysis, and computer demonstrations.

Figure 1982-4. Computers were becoming more available on farms. The Family Living Program included educational program and entertainment on the stage. Educational programs were Warming Up to Home Energy Efficiency, Home is Where the Heart Is, and Marital Property Reform. The action center exhibits were sew warm, snug snacks, what’s happening tomorrow, home is a learning center, processed meats, and health issues including mental health, dental hygiene, immunizations, heart disease and alcohol and other drugs.

Figure 1982-5. Youth groups often performed on Family Stage before a youth tent was available.

More than 650 youth participated in the FFA and 4-H land judging contest. The contest took place at the county fairground and the contest results were announced at the show.

The 1981 host county recommended the state board consider taking on the responsibility of managing the exhibitor applications and lot/booth assignments to reduce county work load and provide greater consistency in service to exhibitors year after year. After some discussion, a committee was established to review this proposal. The state board had the agribusiness counselor tour, also referred to the Seminar on Wheels, evaluated after the tenth year of the activity in 1981. The results indicated the counselors have become much more aware of career opportunities in agriculture as a result of visiting agribusinesses and interacting with faculty and staff from University of Wisconsin campuses and technical colleges. Five counties requested consideration to host the 1985 show. The finalists were Barron and Winnebago Counties, where Winnebago was selected. With the level of interest in hosting the show, the board established a committee to develop criteria for selecting the county. The seminar appears to impact an increase in enrollment at the post high school colleges. Art Kurtz resigned from the board after serving nearly thirty years as vice chair of the board.

1983 Clark -

The Clark County Health Farm, near Owen on Highway 29 was the site of the 1983 show, July 19-21. The 1,100 acre farm was owned by Clark County and had 80 milking cows raised hogs and beef. In preparation for the show, they constructed a large metal building, installed a silo unloader and upgraded a number of buildings.

Forage and small grain harvesting were featured during the field demonstrations. Machines for forage harvesting were mowers, conditioners, rakes, choppers, blowers and wagons. High moisture barley was combined. Other demonstrations were lime spreading, saw mill, safety (chain saw, electrical, fire, and equipment), and land leveling. Sewage sludge and whey corn plots were available.

Figure 1983-1. Mower-conditioner demonstration.

Figure 1983-2. Tandem rake demonstration. The Progress Pavilion was staffed by extension specialists who address forage quality and the near-infrared Analyzer, dairy production issues, plant problem diagnosis ((Plant Doctors), farm computer utilization (WISPLAN), pant analysis and lime application, farm wildlife, food canning and barn ventilation. Alfalfa, red clover and birdsfoot trefoil variety plots were prepared by extension staff.

The Family Living Program goal was to concentrate on family members’ emotional and physical health. Specific health issues addressed were hearing loss, respiratory diseases, and accident prevention. A second goal was to preserve the family farm which included inter-generational farm transfers, estate planning and record keeping. Educational programs on the Family Living were Improving Farmer’s Health, Fashion and Color, Self-Esteem, Safe Clothing, Grow Deep, Not Just Tall and Harmony and the Farm Family.

Figure 1983-3. Health care exhibit in Family Living Tent.

Other health related activities were skin cancer screening and silo rescue provided by the National Farm medicine Center. Free hearing tests were provided the UW Communications Disorders Department.

The State 4-H Tractor Operators Contest was held during the show. More than 600 youth participated in the state FFA and 4-H soil judging contest. The contest was held off site from the show and the results were reported during the show. A local bank association providing funding to purchase a calf which was awarded to a FFA Chapter or 4- H Club which in turn provided the calf to one of its members.

Figure 1983-4. FFA on stage in Family living Tent.

Clark County reported having the first Wisconsin Governor’s tent at a Wisconsin Farm Progress Days Show.

The board approved support for forty percent of the general manager and fifty percent of the support for the secretary. In the past, UW –Extension was providing the salaries for both positions where the persons in these positions were employees of UW-Extension. The 1982 annual agribusiness tour was successful and the board authorized $4,500 for the 1983 tour. Lot and booth rates were increased and the share of the lot and booth rental received by the state board was increased from 25 percent to 30 percent. The remainder of the rental goes to the county. The Wisconsin Farm Progress Days Booster Club reported activities in supporting the show, maintaining a show history and staffing a tent during the show. The board approved criteria for selecting a county which were county support, county extension staff,--attendance potential, housing availability, and county’s agriculture. Subsequently, counties applying to host the show address these criteria in their application. Dane County was selected to host the 1986 show. 1984 Jefferson -

The Bernard and Beverly Walter farm near Watertown was the site for the 1984 show, October 9-11.The Walters milked 86 Holsteins and operated about 3,300 acres of corn, hay, beans and wheat. The family also had a hog operation and did custom tiling. Corn and soybean plots were on display and field demonstrations corn combining, corn silage harvesting and moldboard plowing. The cows were sold in 1985 and then started a veal operation. A new grain system was part of the demonstrations.

Field demonstration machines operating in the corn harvest were combines, choppers, stalk shredders, rakes and stalk baling. Combines operated in two groups – shelled corn and high moisture ear corn. The choppers operated in two groups – whole plant corn silage and high moisture ear corn. The high moisture ear corn was processed through feed grinders during the show. Forage blowers were also demonstrated. Hauling equipment demonstrated were forage boxes, large bale transporter, and gravity flow grain wagons. Mold board plows and large disks were demonstrated. This was the last year moldboard plows were demonstrated during the show.

Experts in Conservation Tillage Village provided clinics on selection, adjustment and operation of equipment operating in field conditions with high quantities of surface crop residue. Equipment included no till drills and planters, chisel plows, moldboard plows and fertilizer application equipment. Plots were available to illustrate these tillage systems.

Figure 1984-1. Planter demonstration.

Safety demonstrations addressed round balers, skid steer loaders, and structure rescue, and proper use of fire extinguishers. Other demonstrations included tiling and sludge application. The Plant Doctors were in the Progress Pavilion discussing insects, diseases, and nutrients. Visitors were encouraged to bring weeds and insects for identification and plants with growth problems for diagnosis. Extension engineers in the Pavilion discussed farm building design, ventilation, manure management, and other engineering related topics. A USDA program ‘T’ by 2000 address soil erosion issues and what a farmer needed to do to meet the requirements of the program. Numerous corn and soybean variety plots were available. A special emphasis of the plots was planting date and relative maturity treatments, side by side.

Figure 1984-2. Extension specialist discussing weed control in alfalfa.

The theme of the 1984 Family Living programs was Farm Families are Special. Topics presented on the stage were ‘You Want To Do What!!??’, ‘Family Teamwork Makes the Farm Go’, Floral Bouquets with a Country Touch. ‘The Needs of Special People’, ‘Family Transition: Legal and Financial Planning’, ‘The Final Nucleus of the Nuclear Family’, ‘If the Tractor goes out of Control, Hit Something Cheap’ and Floral Arrangements. Visitors were able to have their hearing tested. Hearing loss among farmers had been identify as a health concern. A youth tent was not planned for this show.

Figure 1984-3. Drink all the milk you can for 25 cents.

As the show concluded on Thursday afternoon, a tremendous rain occurred, creating difficulty for exhibitors to remove their equipment and displays. Some machinery remained nearly four weeks after the show.

The 1983 agribusiness tour for school counselors was consider a success once again and $5,000 was authorized by the board for the 1984 tour. The board continues to support a Wisconsin Farm Progress Days display which is updated each year and exhibited at farm shows in Wisconsin. Some tent problems have occurred with the exhibitors ordering tents through the county committee. The process was changed where exhibitors order tents directly from the recommended tent suppliers to reduce errors in tent size and tent location in exhibitor lots.Lot and booth rental fees were again increased $10 per lot for 1985. Four counties applied to host the 1987 show, Barron County was selected.

1985 Winnebago – Winnebagoland: Wisconsin’s Agri Valley

Edwin and Malcom Davis and the Gordon Schonscheck farms near Winneconne was the site of the 1985 show, July 16-18. Schoencheck, called the Maple Crest Farm, had 160 dairy cattle including 80 milking cows. A new heifer barn was constructed on the Schonscheck farm prior to the show and was available for tours during the show. The barn was naturally ventilated and had a labor saving manure handling system.

Figure 1985-1. Davis and Schonscheck farmsteads.

The Davis’s also had a dairy operation. Their dairy barn was recently rewired to meet the safety codes and new energy demands on the farm. Rotary mower conditioners were more common in the field. To increase the drying of rate of the forage, drying agents were compared in harvested plots.

Once again forage harvesting was the featured field demonstrations. Machines demonstrated were mower- conditioners, rakes, balers, choppers, forage wagons and blowers. More rotary mower s are available on the mower conditioners being demonstrated. This mechanism has advantages over the sickle bar mower of greater forward speed/capacity and performs better in lodged crops. A new concept on mower conditioners was the impeller conditioning mechanism which increase machine capacity but had a greater risk of field losses than the roll conditioning mechanism.

Electrical safety demonstrations were provided by the local electrical utility. Other safety demonstrations addressed the danger of extra riders on tractors and power-take-off, including proper guards.

A conservation tillage exhibit featured farmer fabricated tillage machines. Farmers who built and test the equipment were available to discuss their experiences and the lower costs of this equipment. Numerous oats, alfalfa, red clover, birdsfoot trefoil, barley and spring wheat were available. In some cases the varieties were recently developed by UW-Madison researchers who were available to answer questions. Hay marketing and quality forage testing was discussed. Other displays and demonstrations included tiling, wood shingled making, and sludge application. INFOTEXT, an agricultural teletext service broadcast from Wisconsin Public television had been upgraded and was on display. A new exhibit at this show was the garden display designed to be of interest to the home gardener. Growing in the garden were flowers and vegetable and information was provided for fertiling, mulching and weeding.

The theme of the 1985 Family Living Program was Promises of Better Things to Come. Theme related programs on the stage were: It’s Always the Growing, Fun with Food and Fitness, The Wellness Lifestyle. That Something Extra, Repeat Boutique, and It all started with Eve: Fig leaves, Fashion, and Fate. Exhibits in the Family Living Tent, available throughout the show were What We Do with the Farmer’s Fibers, ‘Boning Up’ on Calcium, Smart Fabric Care – Longer Wear, Health and Safety, Rape Crisis Center, Country Beautiful, Getting to the ‘Meat’ of the Subject, Marital Property Reform, and Strategies on Survival.

The 4-H youth from Winnebago County and the surrounding counties had a style show. There was not a separate youth tent. Exhibits in the family living tent were displays from UW-Extension, 4-H and Youth and Winnebago County organizations. The sixteenth land judging contest kicked off the show. The participants are divided among four soil pits and identify soil texture, structure, moisture and slope and prepare a soil management program. The winning team goes to the national event.

Figure 1985-2. Building exhibit in tent city.

Al Francour was elected to replace Lynn Brooks as general manager. Brooks remains as an UW-Extension employee but Francour has retired from UW-Extension will be an employee of the state board. Rock County was selected to host the 1988 show. Two county application were received by the board.

For the 1985 show, 843 exhibitor lots were sold, 169 booths. More than 500 exhibitors participated in the show.

1986 Dane – Wisconsin’s #1 Ag County

The week before the 1986 show, October 7-9, was extremely wet, creating major difficulties setting up for the show. The host farmers were Jerry and Betty Treinen and Gilbert and Wylina Rauls, both families operated dairy farms. Rauls reported after the show that although the soil was severely compacted before and during the show, the impact of compaction was not observable in the corn planted the following year in the tent city area.

The Rauls family farms nearly 1500 acres and milks 230 Holsteins. The Treinen’s milk 70 cows and raised replacements. The primary crops grown on these two farms are corn, soybeans and alfalfa. The Rauls had a new home constructed and was available for tours. UW-Extension provided assistance in the house design. The field demonstrations focused on harvesting corn and tillage. The corn was harvested as shelled dry corn, shelled high moisture corn, whole plant silage and stalklage. Machines operating in the field were combines, choppers, balers, stalk shredders and rakes. Other equipment related to the corn harvest were forage wagons, roller mills, forage blowers, gravity flow wagons, grain carts, and bale handling equipment. Other demonstrations included tillage with subsoilers and chisel plows and spreading manure including skid steers for loading the manure into the spreaders. The response of exhibitors to the tillage demonstrations was outstanding – fifteen chisel plows and seven subsoilers were exhibited.

Figure 1986-1. Corn silage harvesting.

Safety demonstration conducted were electrical overhead power lines and seat belt convincer. The latter was provided by the Department of Transportation.

Corn variety, no-till alfalfa and sludge plots were available. In the Progress Pavilion, subject matter clinics were conducted on animals, plants, weeds, diseases, insects, wildlife, farmstead engineering, solid wastes, groundwater, and state and federal agency programs.

Figure 1986-2. Corn variety plots.

The Farm Progress Pavilion had UW-Extension and government agencies exhibiting. Extension specialist answering question were agricultural engineers, agronomists, soil scientists, entomologists, plant pathologists, dairy scientist, agricultural economists, and water quality specialists. Visitors were able have their drinking water tested for nitrates. WI Department of Natural Resources staff discussed water quality, forestry, planting wildlife cover and municipal sewage. The State Soil Conservation Service staff provided information on the 1985 farm bill related conservation practices required on highly erodible land. Federal farm program information was provided by State ASCS staff.

The Family Living program in exhibits, stage programs and free health tests. Staff from medical centers were available to do skin cancer screening, hearing tests, and blood pressure checks. These are health issues more prevalent among members of farm families. Other exhibits in the tent were marital property law, quilting, facts on wool, preserving your family heritage, fabric care, osteoporosis, and food for the working family. The stage had a mix of educational and entertaining programs. The informational programs were Boning up on Calcium, Life Before Dinner---Food for the Working Family, Farming and Arthritis, Today’s Economy, Stress and Coping in the 1980’s, My Aching Back, and The Family: Heart of the Food/Fiber System.

Figure 1986-3. Heritage tractor is important for many show visitors.

At the 1986 board meeting, Wisconsin Agriculturalist magazine staff presented a proposal to provide the official program for the show. An official program had not been published for prior shows. The board approved the proposal with assurances of content elements which continue to be in all subsequent programs. Shawano County, the only applicant for the 1989 show was selected. A contingency fund of $20,000 was established and Grobe and Associates were hired as the auditors. The lot and booth rental rates for 1987 remain the same. The 1985 Counselors’ tour was a success and $5,000 was approved for the 1986 tour. George Wright, former general manager, passed away and a memorial statement was prepared at the UW-Madison. Virgil Martinson, past vice chair of the board was recognized for his service and Cletus Fontaine was elected the new vice-chair.

1987 Barron – Forage County

During the 1987 show, July 14-16, highlighted 4-H activities including an arena. The show was hosted by Butch and Val Sutherland and Jon and Cindy Becker near Cumberland. The Sutherlands owned 160 acres and rented another 160 acres. They stress forage quality in their operation. The Becker’s operate 250 acres and have about 250 head of dairy and beef cattle. Oats, 100 acres, is grown for feed and as a cash crop. The Sutherland’s constructed a new home which will be open for tours. Energy saving methods used super insulation in the walls and off peak use of electrical power with a thermal storage heating system.

Forage harvesting was the primary focus of the field demonstrations. More of the mower conditioners had the rotary mowers, five of the eleven mower conditioners were rotary. For raking equipment, four of the seven rakes were tedders, which are more available on the market. All five forage choppers were pull type. All five balers produced small rectangular bales, which was the request of the host farmers. This may have been the first show a windrow merger was demonstrated. It was mounted on the front of a tractor pulling forage harvester which then harvested two windrows. Equipment for hauling consisted of self-unloading forage wagons and bale wagons for the bale throwers.

Figure 1987-1. Merger, tractor mounted, with a forage harvester.

Figure 1987-2. Hay tedder-wheel rake combination.

Other demonstrations during the show were alfalfa seeding methods, forage preservatives and drying agents, barnyard runoff water quality, new fencing methods, alfalfa variety trials, beef management, overhead electric power safety, helicopter ambulance drill, and bale storage.

UW-Extension and Government Agency staffs were available answer questions on wide variety of problems faced by farmers. Primary topics that addressed were stray voltage, plant diseases, insects, weeds, forage quality, livestock and dairy animal health, conservation plans, federal farm programs, nitrate contamination, marital property reform law, recycling, and marketing. Drinking water testing was available.

The theme for the Family Living Tent was ‘Patterns for Living’. Programs on the tent stage were: ’How to Talk to Your Children About SEX’, ‘A Living History Fashion Show’, ‘Let’s Talk Turkey’, ‘Basic Wills and Estate Planning;, ‘Let’s Make House Work a Breeze’, ‘P. S. Fitness and Aerobic Exercises’, ‘How to be a Winner’, ‘The Farm Family – Heart of the Food and Fiber System’ and ‘It Could Be Something You Ate’. Numerous music groups performed on the stage as well. Visitors were able to have their cholesterol tested and receive skin cancer screening and tetanus shots. Other exhibits were health insurance checkup, quilting, CPR demonstration, small appliance selection, gardening, moisture in the home, and health concerns.

This was the first year for a large tent devoted to youth. Barron County has a very strong 4-H program. The stage in the youth tent featured performances by 4-H youth, contests and demonstrations. Each of the county’s 54 clubs prepared a square for a large quilt. Each square had artwork which identified the club. Demonstrations in the youth arena tractor safety demonstration, dairy and beef clipping and fitting, dog obedience, dairy showmanship, dog training and horse demonstration. Horse bowl and dairy bowl competitions were held during the show with the winners qualifying for national events.

Figure. 1987-3. Heritage machinery-threshing grain.

Figure 1987-4. Busy tent city street.

The 1987 board meeting was the first where the auditor, Grobe and Associates, reported audit results for the state and county financial records. Waushara county, the only applicant, was selected to host the 1990 show. Only one county was encouraged to apply because the general manager suggested not having counties competed. On a one time basis, Rock County was permitted to display two vehicles for raffle at the 1988 show but were not permitted to sell raffle tickets. Vendors providing sawdust and washing services to exhibitors must rent a lot or booth in tent city. The 1986 guidance counselor tour was successful and the board approved plans for the 1987 tour and the appointment of a committee to develop a plan for the next five years. Due to diminishing extension resources at the county level, the state will provide financial support on a county by county basis. A survey of show participants was conducted at the 1986 show but detailed results were not available. The lot and booth rentals rates will remain the same for the 1989 show.

1988 Rock

The show, September 20-22, returned to Rock County and hosted on the Metcalf Farms, near Janesville. The farm consists of 3,000 acres of owned and rented land with 2,000 acres of corn, 500 acres of soybeans and 500 acres of specialty crops which included green beans, lima beans, cabbage, sweet corn, and red beets. They had 150 cow dairy and raised dairy beef cattle.

Field demonstrations included harvesting corn for grain, soybeans, sweet corn, red beets, green beans, lima beans, cabbage, Corn stalks were shredded and baled. Tillage demonstrations included moldboard plowing, subsoiling, and chisel plowing. This was believed to be the last year of moldboard plowing at the show. Manure spreading and winter wheat seeding were also demonstrated.

Other demonstrations were powerline safety and seat belt convincer. A irrigation systems was installed in the tent city area about two months before the show. The 1988 growing season was very dry resulting lower yields but system provided excellent stand of crop in tent city. A new well was drilled and monitoring well were drilled nearby which ground water sampling during the show. Other exhibits associated with irrigation were low pressure systems to save energy and irrigation system selection.

Alternative crop plots were available for viewing and information was provided. The alternative crops were winter wheat, flax, buckwheat, field peas, lupine, rape, proso millet, milo, white corn, sunflower, and dwarf corn. Crop variety plots were 180 varieties of corn from fifty companies and sixty-five varieties of soybeans from thirty companies. Other plots in education alley were sewage sludge fertilization, nitrogen testing, corn damage, and weed garden. A dairy beef display comparing high energy feeding to pasturing. Electric power line safety demonstrates were conducted.

Figure 1988-1. Electric power line safety demonstration.

In the Progress Pavilion, numerous extension specialists were available to answer questions. Of special interest was velvet leaf, which was a common problem this year. The traditional weed, plant bug and soil doctors provided answers to questions related primarily to the drought. Other exhibits in the pavilion were home horticulture, wildlife ecology, infotext software, rural leadership, child care, marital property law, food for working families, groundwater contamination, and property tax. Government agencies in the pavilion were USDA Farm Home Administration (emergency loans and soil and water loans), USDA Soil Conservation Service (Sodbuster, Swampbuster, conservation compliance, and conservation reserve), Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (Farmland Preservation, drought, farm aid, and direct marketing) and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (agricultural education and FFA leadership).

Figure 1988-2. Building under construction in tent city-building is removed after the show.

Orion Samuelson was the featured program on the Family Living program. Other educations programs on the stage were Nutrition Education-From Farm to Family, Empowering Farm Families, Folklore Fashions, Planning for Retirement, Cleanliness-Next to Impossible, Prairie Restoration, Taste of Wisconsin History, Rural leadership, Easy Entertaining with a Taste of Wisconsin and Your Marriage is a Centipede. Numerous musical and other entertainers performed on the stage. Numerous health related exhibits were in the tent. Health related activities at the show were blood pressure monitoring, tetanus shots, hearing testing, skin cancer screening, and cholesterol screening. These activities were supported by the National Farm Medicine Center, Rock County Health Department and Farm Bureau.

Figure 1987-3. Medical helicopter landing near tent city.

With the auto industry in Janesville, support was obtained to hold a raffle with the proceeds going to the youth in 4-H and FFA. The two raffle winners received $14,000 which was used toward the purchase of a General Motors vehicle. This was the first raffle for the show which created a change in state policies where a county can host on raffle only.

The theme of the youth program was Today’s Youth in Action. The program was schedule for the youth tent and an outdoor arena. The demonstrations in the arena were swine grading, equestrian dressage, horseback riding for disabled, sheep herding and dog obedience. Beside performances by youth groups, the stage in the tent will featured a fashion show, dog bowl, and soil judging results. The soil judging took place off site and involved more than 100 teams. Booths in the youth tent centered on areas of home and family, mechanical science, natural science, state leadership, and higher education opportunities.

Figure 1988-4. Youth in action-sheep dog demonstration in youth arena.

With the focus on specialty crops, the Wisconsin Canned Vegetable Council provided 39,000 cans of vegetables. The first 13,000 visitors to stop at the specialty crop exhibit received a can of vegetables.

The State Board of Directors received an application from Dodge to host the 1991 show, a summer show. The board approved Dodge County. The sale of raffle tickets for the 1988 show in Rock County was approved on a trial basis. Rock County has schedule the show to be open until 7::00 pm on Wednesday evening to attract an urban audience. (In a followup report, the attendance was much less than expected and Rock County did not recommend staying open later at future shows.) The 1987 Guidance Counselor tour went well in the Appleton area but attendance was down. For the 1998 tour the tour length was reduced from three days to two days and science teachers were invited. Lot and booth rentals were increased $10 to $25. A survey of show visitors was planned for the 1989 show. Interest in hosting future shows was received from Manitowoc and Calumet counties for either 1992 or 1993.

1989 Shawano – A Premier Agricultural Exposition

The Schmidt and Rosenau families hosted the 1989 show, July 11-13, near Shawano. The Rosenau’s operate a 250 acre dairy farm with 45 Holstein cows. The crop production is split between corn and alfalfa. Before the show the show they added a silo for gran, garage, and two acre wildlife pond under the direction of Department of Natural Resources. A few years earlier they pole barn, new milkhouse, and bunk feeder. Their home wasrecently remodeled. Schmidt’s milk 150 dairy cows on 600 acres. The cows are housed in a 158 stall free stall barn and milked in double eight milking parlor. Corn, alfalfa, barley and sudan grass are the primary crops grown on their land. In preparation for the show, they added computerized weighing system in their milking parlor and remodeled the old dairy barn for the heifers and dry cows, 90 free stalls.

The forage harvesting related machine demonstrated were mower-conditioners, rakes, choppers, balers (small square and large round), silage baggers and blowers. Plots available for visitors were alfalfa varieties, snap beans, flowers and low input nutrient. Two nature trails, wet land management and woodlot management, were available for guided tours. The local electric utility demonstrated the dangers around power lines.

Figure 1989-1. Small square baling demonstration.

Figure 1989-2. Discussing plastic covered round bale.

The Progress Pavilion had numerous extension specialists/agents and organization representatives to address a large array of questions, Organizations represented were Milk Quality Council, Center for Integrated Agriculture, and Wisconsin Rural Leadership. Topics addressed by extension staff were water quality, chemical storage and handling, on-farm recycling, alternative forages, forage quality, property tax, weed doctors, home horticulture and food handling and storage.

Figure 1989-1. The UW Infrared laboratory outside Progress Pavilion.

The theme for the Family Living tent was The Family – Traditions, Trends and Tomorrows, which was active programs on the stage and numerous exhibits. Presentations on the stage were The Sandwich Generation, A Silhouette of Fashion, Something Special from Wisconsin, Shaking the Family Tree, Taking Care of Me, Keeping a Positive Attitude toward Family, Wisconsin Education: The Children’s Agenda, Advice to Farm Women and So You Think You are Getting Enough Calcium. Exhibits were Stress, Standing Up for Families, Butter Making, Milk Marketing History, Quilting, Recycling and Baking with Whole grains. Visitors to the show were able to participate several health tests: skin cancer, blood pressure and cholesterol. Much information provided about Lyme’s disease including prevention.

Numerous 4-H clubs provided a variety of musical performances on the Youth Tent Stage. Information presentation on the state were Rabbit and Poultry Judging, FFA Creed, FFA Parliamentary Procedure, and 4-H Style Show. In the youth area demonstrations were Showing and Fitting Dairy Animals, Sheep Herding, Therapeutic Riding, Lead Dog Demonstration, and K-9 Companions.

The Wisconsin Farm Progress Days Boosters provides visitors with a glimpse of previous shows. The group consists of past, current and future hosts, committee members, extension staff, exhibitors and other with a strong interest in the show. Visitor can view posters with photos and newspaper clippings from previous shows.

Board of Director Minutes were not available. 1990 Waushara – Era of Excellence

Highlights: visitors were able to go on camel rides, a new potato harvester was introduced.

The Detlor and Pionke families hosted the show, September18-20, east of Hancock on a sandy soil. The PIonke’s have 85 cow dairy on 492 acres. They also have seventy head of young stock and twenty-five feeder steers. The built a new home and remodeled several farm building which will be open for tours. The newly remodeled heifer barn featured solar panels, drive by feeding and curtain sidewalls. They had a portable center pivot irrigation system which will be on display. Crops raised on their farm include corn, alfalfa, soybeans and vegetables. Pionke’s built a new home to specifically meet their needs. The home featured a unique energy system using groundwater as a source system for heating and cooling the home and controlling humidity.

Detlor’s farm has 700 acres, which are irrigated, and they feed 300 beef. Normally they have 650 in corn and the remainder is used for alfalfa. An unusual ingredient in the beef animal feed was potato waste from a nearby processing plant. For the show they agreed raise potatoes where a neighbor did the field work of planting the potatoes and the needed pest management. The Detlor’s started a machinery repair business to supplement their farm income and meet the community needs for machinery repair because limited availability of farm equipment dealers in the area.

For the field demonstrations, some of the major farm machinery manufactures chose to have their farm machinery dealers manage the demonstrations and the exhibits in 1990. The dealers used their customers as the machinery operators. This method of operation did not work as well as the companies expected so they reverted back in future shows.

Combining corn and soybeans and chopping corn silage was the primary demonstrations. Related machines demonstrated were forage wagons, forage blowers, and stalk shredders. Potatoes, snap beans and sweet corn were harvested during the show by large machine from a canning company and small machines designed for producers marketing in the fresh vegetable market. Numerous tillage, offset disks and chisel plows, demonstrations were also done and as well equipment for fall seeding of cover crops. Mechanical rock picking machinery were demonstrated. A new four row potato harvester was demonstrated for the first time in the Midwest. This machine featured no mechanical drives, all machine functions were controlled hydraulically.

Figure 1990-1. Bunker silo filling with corn silage.

Figure 1990-2. Potato harvesting demonstration.

Figure 1990-3. Offset disk tillage demonstration. Best management practices were demonstrated with regard to reduced chemical use on the farm. The practices minimize the potential for contaminating groundwater. Plots of corn and potatoes were established to evaluate insecticide and herbicide application rates and the impact on productivity and risk to leaching.

The Progress Pavilion was labelled the ‘answer factory’ where UW extension specialists and government agency staff were available. Extension staff provided water and soil nitrate testing and information on chemical storage, on-farm recycling, weeds, plant diseases, integrated pest management, farm business records, landscaping, and potato certification. Working Together Makes 4-H Happen was an exhibit with information on 4-H projects and related activities.

Christmas trees are produced similar to other farm crops in Waushara County. Numerous varieties of Christmas tree were exhibited and information was available on the management of this crop.

Rooted in Love: Growing with Change was the theme of the Family Living program. The three days of speakers, musical performances, and educational exhibits were built around the theme. The educational exhibits covered a wide variety of topics including family health, nutrition, safety, recycling, wildflowers, and Waushara history. Speakers on the stage discussed: Are Your Children Safe on the Farm, Cultivation a Strong Family, Touch for Life, Groundwater – What’s in it for You?, and What is a Cow.

Free health tests were provided by the National Farm Medicine Center shin cancer and hearing. Adult tetanus and diphtheria immunizations were provided by the Waushara County Health and Emergency Services nurses.

Youth program planners promoted the development of youth leadership in agriculture, created an awareness of 250 career opportunities available in agriculture and promoted the resurgence of agricultural youth organizations. Demonstration in the youth arena were tractor and ATV safety, archery, shooting, dog obedience, sheep herding, dairy clipping and fitting, dairy showmanship, and 4-H horse project. Numerous youth groups from Waushara County provided musical, dramatic and other entertainment on the stage.

This was the only show where camel rides were available to show visitors.

Board of Director Minutes were not available. 1991 Dodge – Diversified Agriculture

Vigo Farms served as the host farm for the 1991 show, July 9-11, near Brownsville. Gordon Berg, farm owner had developed an outstanding herds of Holstein. The farms consist of 350 acres and three farmsteads. The cows were milked in two barns, one red and while barn for the red and white Holsteins and a black and white barn for the black and white Holstein. The red and white barn is a new construction with forty tie stalls, an in barn stationary TMR mixer and an elevator to the second floor. A newly constructed calf barn was available to visitors to see. Doug and Linda Bloch worked for Gordon and manage the calf raising in a new calf barn and do many other jobs on the farm. The Bloch’s lived in the new house which was constructed for the show.

Figure 1991-1. Newly constructed calf barn and house, background.

Harvesting forages, alfalfa and mixture of peas and oats, was the focus of the field demonstrations. Forage related machines demonstrated were mower-conditioner, rakes choppers, balers, blowers, bale wrappers and silage baggers. Other machines demonstrated were no till drills and planters and sprayers. Alfalfa, sludge, weed, flower and vegetable plots were available to show visitors. A crop sprayer demonstration provided the latest technology available on modern sprayers.

The Progress Pavilion had the plant extension specialists to answer plant abnormalities, insects and weeds. A weed garden with thirty different weeds to assist visitors in identifying weeds. The bug doctor identified house, crop and garden insects and provided information deer ticks which were responsible for lyme disease. Plant disease specialist addressed berry, vegetable and fruit tried problems. Nitrate testing was conducted on water samples provided by show visitors. Farmers with disabilities were able to able to observe assistive technology which may make their farm work easier. This was a new USDA project supported through extension. State and federal agenicy staff were available to discuss their government programs. At a forestry exhibit, visitors obtained seeds. Other exhibits in the pavilion were food safety, recycling, safety, wildlife crop damage, and animal sciences. A wetland restoration demonstration was staffed by agency people.

The theme of the Family Living programs was FAMILIES: Learning, Caring and Sharing which provided direction in the planning of the exhibits and performances on the stage. People staffing the exhibits provided blood pressure checks and free tetanus shots and information women’s health services, feeding people of the world, kids and money, sewing, food dehydration, antique farm toys, and local tourism. Informational presentations on the stage were Sewing attractions, Saving Lives and Limbs on the Farm, Gymnastics for Health and Fun, Tips on Food Dehydration, and Is Eating a Risky Business. Several local and national performers provided entertainment. The new home on the farm had many energy saving features. A geothermal heating/cooling system was used to heat the home during the winter and cool it during the summer using pipes circulating water through the soil near the house.

Figure 1991-2. Exhibits inside the Family Living tent.

Health screening was conducted by National Farm Medicine medical staff who also provided free skin cancer and hearing testing.

Youth activities took place in the Youth Tent and Arena with a theme, Youth: The Voice of the Future. Dodge County 4-H members and FFA members were featured speaking and musical performances on the stage. The youth were selected based on previous competitions. Informational topics presented on the stage were Medical Emergencies on the Farm and Earth Day-Every Day-Birds of Prey. Events on the arena were ATV Safety, Fitting and Showing Beef, Dog Obedience, Horse Riding, Wisconsin Working Dogs, Fitting and Showing Dairy Cattle, Bicycle Riding Safety, Fitting and Showing Sheep, and Newspaper Shredding.

Figure 1991-3. Livestock show fitting demonstration.

Figure 1991-4. Banks of phones were provided before cell phone days.

Columbia County was approved to host the 1994 show. The 1990 high school guidance counselor went well and the tour for 1991 was approved for the Beaver Dam area. Thee general manager report an injury occurred at the 1990 show and it was in litigation. A special task force was appointed develop future plans for the show.

Al Francour indicated his intentions to resign after the 1992 show. Because of increased duties, the position and its duties were redefined and divided into two positions: General Manager and Executive Director. The General Manager would be responsible for the county related activities and the Executive Director would be responsible to duties at the state office in Madison. Glenn Thompson and Don Peterson, respectively were appointed to these two positions. The board increased the lot and booth rental rates starting with the 1995 show and recommended the task force consider the option of hiring a full time person to work with exhibitors with regard to applications, services and lot and booth assignments. 1992 Eau Claire

The theme of the 1992 show was ‘Returning to Our Roots’ which related to the National Plowing Contest which was held just a few miles from the 1992 show in 1953. This contest served a seed for planning the first Wisconsin Farm Progress Days. Pat Kelliher, who was involved in planning the contest, was available during the 1992 to share his experiences on the stage in the Family Living tent. He been employed as a soil conservationist at the time of the contest and later was a well-recognized agriculture radio reporter. The contest attracted many well-known visitors including Ezra Taft Benson, the Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture.

The Cleasby and Schacht families hosted the 1992 show, October 15-17. Richard and Donna Cleasby farmed 320 acres with 220 acres owned. They milked 60 Holsteins and raise all their replacements. They finish ten to twenty Holstein steers. Crops grown by the Cleasby’s are corn, alfalfa and small grains. Cleasby’s had a new ventilation in their calf barn.

Figure 1992-1. Host farm, Cleasby.

Dennis and Tami Schacht farm 410 acres in partnership with his parents. They milked sixty Holsteins, raise all their replacements and feed thirty Holsteins to market weight. Their cropping program involves corn, alfalfa, small grins and canning peas. Schacht’s constructed a new calf barn shortly before the show.

Figure 1992-2. Host farm, Schacht.

A new committee, Host Family Assistance Committee, was established to assist the host families with chores around their farms and prepare for the show. Demands of the host farm families before and during the show, reduces the time available to complete work around their farms. In addition host farmers want to do added work to make their buildings and ground look the best.

The tent city located on County Highway V which served as Wisconsin Avenue. As a result this avenue was much wider than past shows. Many field demonstrations were planned including the harvest of corn silage, shelled corn, soybeans and dry beans. Other demonstrations included blowers, roller mills, and corn stalk shredding. Tillage demonstrations were also scheduled. Other demonstrations included manure spreader calibration, proper chemical mixing and loading pad, stream bank protection, barn yard runoff, nitrate testing,

Many challenges were faced by the Eau Claire County committees. The corn crop was not as mature as planned, as a result combing shelled corn was not done the first day. Harvesting corn for silage was done but a higher elevation in afield area was harvested where the corn crop was more mature. The corn silage was bagged.

Progress Pavilion

Family Living committee used the show theme Returning to Our Roots when developing their program. The Family Living stage programs were designed to be entertaining and informational. Informational programs planned were Preserving Family Heirlooms, Finding Our Roots, Remembering Our Roots, First Aid until Help Arrives, Finding our Roots, A Celebration of Women, and Estate Planning for the Family Farm. Numerous local music groups performed. Members of the prepared a cookbook consisting of recipes from the host families and committee members. The book of forty-nine recipes was available to visitors free of charge.

Youth …. the Roots of Agriculture was the youth program located in the youth tent and arena. Demonstrations and other activities in the arena were dairy fitting and showing, ATV Safety for Kids, Chain saw and wood sculpturing, beef selection, working stock dogs, farm safety, cutting horse demonstrations, snowmobile safety, and dairy goat milking-fitting. The stage in the youth tent had 4-H and other youth providing musical and other performances. In other youth activities, member of Fall Creek FFA chapter collaborated with the host families and designed and landscaped. The FFA students arranged to have nearly 1,300 fourth grade students to visit the show and tour the host farms.

Early on October 16, Wednesday, a tremendous rain flooded tent city and the surrounding area. In the early morning hours, about 5:00 am, the show was cancelled for the day. Later in the day as more rain was predicted, the show was cancelled for the next day, Thursday. The concern was for the potential damage on the alfalfa fields used for parking and the challenges of parking cars along a highway. Potential losses were estimated to be nearly twelve million dollars. Several newspaper articles appeared, which criticized the decision to cancel the two days of the show. Other issues arising from the water were personal safety of volunteers with regard to the electrical system and the food. Several volunteers reported receiving electrical shocks. With no electrical power, the food refrigeration systems were inoperative. A reported 4000 sandwiches were given to a local food bank.

To meet the obligations of the show committee to the host farmers, a field day was held about three weeks after the show on both host farms. During this event high moisture shelled corn, dry and kidney beans and soybeans were harvested. In addition tillage demonstrations were done.

Board of Director Minutes were not available.

1993 Calumet

The 1993 show was dedicated to Harlan Gruett who was a member of the Calumet County executive committee and passed away June 21, one month before the show. He started Guett Manufacturing in Potter and demonstrated his equipment at previous shows.

The Schneider Family hosted the show, July 20-22, near Hilbert. The family consisted of Henry and Odelia and their five sons. They milk 550 cows in 28 stall polygon parlor and have 2,300 acres of owned and rented land. Normally they grew 850 acres of corn, 1,100 acres of alfalfa, 140 acres of winter wheat, and 240 acres of soybeans.

Due to adverse winter and spring weather conditions the Schneider’s were very challenged to establish a forage crop for baling and forage harvesting demonstrations. None of these demonstrations were conducted. No-till drill and planter demonstrations went on as planned.

Rotational grazing was a feature at the show where fencing was demonstrated and plots of pasture crops were available. Small paddocks were established where animals had been grazing for nearly two months. Watering systems had been installed to serve these animals. Other forage variety plots were available for viewing.

A new demonstration at this year’s was the TMR (Total Mixed Ration) which was becoming very popular on dairy farms. Fourteen machines were available where each machine was filled with a ration and mixed before an audience elevated so they were able to see the feed being mixed. A company representative described the machine during the demonstration. Due to large number of machines, seven were demonstrated in the morning and seven in the afternoon. After the demonstrations, small samples were discharged on the ground for visitors to evaluate. At the end of each day, the mixers discharged their ration in the drive through heifer/dry cow barn. Visitors were able observe the unloading performance.

Figure 1993-1. TMR demonstration-audience is to the right on bleachers.

A clean water tent featured free nitrate testing, proper manure management, milk house waste management, manure application strategies and manure spreader calibration. Staff from the Lake Winnebago Watershed Project were available to address related issues. A dairy tent addressed heifer research, nutrition, alternative commodity feeds, animal handling safety, milk quality assurance, and computers in farm management.

Two experimental machines based on University of Wisconsin research were on display during the show. The up cut forage harvester used a cutterhead to cut the forage with an upward motion of the cutterhead knives, instead of a downward motion available on today’s forage harvesters. The up cut design created motion of the forage when cut eliminating the need for a blower. This reduced the energy requirement of the forage harvester by an estimated twenty percent. The forage macerator was designed to greatly increase the drying rate of the cut forage such as alfalfa and grasses. With the macerator and excellent drying conditions, hay could be made in one day. Today in 2014, a macerator is being marketed but the up cut forage harvester never was adopted.

Figure 1993-2. Experimental macerator

Progress Pavilion featured the master gardeners who had quizzes on seed identification, plant judging, and other questions about growing fruits, vegetables and nuts. The traditional soil, plant, weed and insect doctors were available to address plant and crop issues faced by show visitors. Other extension and government agency staff provided information on worm composting, pesticide mixing and loading, sustainable agriculture, farmer assistance programs, wildlife management, food safety, farm safety, and wetland restoration.

New at the show was a beef tent where UW-Madison researchers reported the results of their work on meat quality. A special focus was on dairy steers, a growing enterprise in Wisconsin.

The theme of the Family Living Tent was We’ve Got the Future in our Hands. Exhibits were Discover Nature, Even More Family Fun, Look What’s in the Library, Keep Kids Happy, For your Health and Brush Up on Your Industry. On the stage, speakers’ topics were Vintage Hat Fashions, Historic and Scenic Lake Winnebago, Antique Dairy Signs, Take the Clutter out of Life, Decorating with Trash, Estate Planning, and Relax with a Folksinger. In addition, local performers provided musical entertainment.

A youth tent and arena were located in tent city. Exhibits features Calumet County 4-H and other youth showing their fair exhibits. Other exhibits were hunter safety, all-terrain-vehicles, photography, fishing, and agriculture related quiz boards. Demonstrations in the youth arena were working dogs, dairy judging, ATV Safety, exotic animals, horse hitch, clothing revue, and dog agility. The state FFA soil judging contest took place near the show site and the results were announced in the results in the youth arena.

With health costs going higher, farm health and safety information and test were available from National Farm Medicine Center staff. Numerous illnesses addressed during the show are found in higher levels among farmers. Skin cancer and prostrate tests was available to visitors. Information was available respiratory diseases such as asthma, farmer’s lung, chronic bronchitis and toxic dust syndrome. The Calumet County Public Health staff provided tetanus shots. The Theda Clark Hospital provided a rescue helicopter on site for emergencies.

A special feature of the show was Mr. Kite, Bill Schneider, an uncle of the Schneider brothers. Bill had several high flying at the show site which permitted visitors approaching the show to provide directions. Bill’s practice was to fly his kites near events in his community to create attention to the event.

Due to the wet weather experience during the 1992 show, the board explored show cancellation insurance. The 1992 Guidance Counselor tour was successful and $5,000 was approved for the 1993 in Southwestern Wisconsin. Marathon County was selected as the host county for 1996. Board members expressed concern regarding a single application and did not appear to be open to competition. To avoid competition among counties during a board meeting, the General Manager works with several counties but only encourages one to apply. An exhibitor/visitors surveys was planned for the 1993 show in Calumet County. Neal Jorgenson was elected as chair of the board. New lot and booth rental rates for 1994 were established with a small increase. A memorandum of understanding was developed with Brandiwood electric for providing wiring services at the show. The board decided to discontinue printing of brochures due to the $7,000 costs. The board established a sub-committee to evaluate the initiation of a parking fee.

Don Peterson assumed the responsibility as the Wisconsin Farm Progress Days as Executive Director. In addition Glenn Thompson assumed the role as General Manager working with the counties in planning and managing the shows while Peterson managed the business of the board in its support of the counties. Al Francour, who has served in both roles for the past eight years, is retiring. Both Thompson and Peterson have many years of experience in cooperative extension and Peterson served many years as chair of the Wisconsin Farm Progress Days Board of Directors.

1994 Columbia – Pride of the Prairie

Highlights of the 1994 show were the first show for a county to have a commemorative tractor and the first show where admissions fees (2.00) were charged. This was the first show with a major focus on precision agriculture: guidance systems, yield monitors and variable rate application.

The 1994 show, September 20-22, was held in the Wisconsin prairie near Arlington on the Klahn and Manke farms. Tom and Judy Klahn operated a swine production system marketing 2,200 pigs using a remodeled dairy barn, using both the first and second floors of the barn. Klahn’s built a new shop before the show and was used for safety training and other show meetings. They own 180 and farm 1,400 acres raising corn and soybeans primarily. Tom and Kris Manke had a beef operation along with corn and soybean production. Manke’s had a modern grain drying system which was available to visitors for viewing. Today, 2014, the tent city field now has a large dairy barn which was constructed by nearby dairy farmer and the surrounding land was used for manure application as means of applying the phosphorous fertilizer on land near the barn. Many dairy farmers have land adjacent to their barn having more than adequate levels of phosphorous.

The first two days went well with an estimated attendance of 75,000. On the third day, the weather was cold and rainy, which limited attendance and field demonstrations were cancelled.

With advent of precision agriculture, an Ag Tech 2000 tent was established to bring this new technology to the farm community. As with many new technologies, many companies get into the business early and with precision technology was multi-faceted. The exhibitors had products related to moisture sensor, variable rate controllers, yield monitors, global positioning systems (GPS), grid soil sampling, remote sampling, geospatial Information system (GIS), and infrared thermometry. Several fields on the Klahn farm were grid soil sampled with GPS. During the show a grain combine with a yield monitoring system was operating in a corn field adjacent to the AgTech 2000 tent. The information visible to the combine operator was transmitted to a television monitor visible to show visitors. Prescription fertilizer management, also referred to variable rate application, was described and supported by research information developed by UW-Madison researchers. Klahn’s had a state of the art chemical handling facility available for tours.

Harvesting corn silage, corn snaplage and dry shelled corn and harvesting soybeans were demonstrated during the show. Along with harvesting equipment, forage wagons, blowers and grain carts were seen in operation. Additional field demonstrations were no-till drills, deep tillage, shallow tillage and zone tillage. Soybean and corn variety plots were available for viewing.

Extension staff had a multitude of demonstrations and exhibits. A partial list: No-Till Drills and Planters, Rotational Grazing, Livestock Handling, Chemical Mixing and Loading, Manure Nutrient Management, Forage Particle Size, Farm Shop Design, Stored Grain and Livestock Ventilation.

The Progress Pavilion featured farm financial planning where specialists were available to discuss dairy herd improvement records, long range budgets, and software to do farm management and marketing. As ususal the Soil, Plant Disease, Insect and Weed Doctors were available address problems farmers may have in their fields. Other exhibits were master gardener (home town programs and youth horticulture) wildlife habitat enhancement and animal damage, food safety, and pesticide applicator training. The WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection exhibits in the Pavilion were farm ownership transition, sustainable agriculture, shore land management, animal health, stray voltage and pesticide loading pad.

In an environmental stewardship tent an exhibit demonstrated the impact of worms and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a part of environmental stewardship. Other exhibits in this tent were biomass stratification, composting and recycling on the farm, pigs and land, proper closing of abandoned wells, and well water testing for nitrate.

Figure 1994-1. Prairie restoration demonstration.

A special Farm Safety tent was featured for the first time in the show’s history. Exhibits included AgrAbility, Farm Health and Safety Council of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Center for Agricultural safety and Health, Dangers of Confined Spaces, and Animal Handling. Daily demonstrations in the Farm Safety area were PTO Entanglement, Bypass starting dangers and fires.

The 1994 show was the first show where admission fees were charged to people attending the show, $2.00 per adult. Increasing costs for insurance and utilities was given as the primary reason. The state board wanted the visitors to share in the costs of the show, which was a practice of numerous shows around the country. In the past the primary source of show income was the exhibitor lot rental fees.

The annual commemorative tractor for the show was introduced in the 1994. The county selects a tractor or other agricultural machine and arranges to have a toy scale model manufactured. Only 1000 of the commemorative models are manufactured and sold, making it a valuable collector machine after the show. The Columbia county committee selected an International, model 1568. Since 1994, a commemorative tractor or machine has been selected and sold.

The theme of the largest Family Living Tent to date was Families ----Our Pride. Orion Samuelson was a featured speaker on the stage. Other stage programs were: Coping with Grief and Loss, Violence in the Home, Personal Safety Tips, and Analysis of Health Care Reform. Numerous entertaining program s were presented on the stage. 9999Twenty-three exhibits in the tent addressed various topics including home baking, cabinet resurfacing, travel, machine embroidery, and food preparation (pork, fish, low fat choices and dough). Numerous health care organizations provided screening and tests for health issues more prevalent among the farm population. They were skin cancer screening, prostrate screening, respiratory health screening, tetanus shots, diabetes testing, and hearing testing.

The youth programs provided education and entertainment in the youth tent and arena. The youth area theme was Youth ------Pride of Our Future. Youth arena programs were ATV Safety, Hog Judging, Animal Care, and Beef Fitting. Exhibits in the tent involved interactive activities promoting 4-H Youth Plant Science Day. Other exhibits were farm safety, drug prevention, 100 toy tractors and other machinery, International Crane Foundation, train track safety, ATV’s sized for children, camping and veterinarian. Youth tent stage programs were Snowy White, Values to Live By, The Nutrition Magician, Science Fun with Dairy Foods, Circus History, Something Special from Wisconsin, and The American Mountain Man of the 1800’s.

With energy costs rising and alternate fuel sources gaining more interest, a number vehicles at the show were operating on ethanol and biodiesel. The host families used car operating on E-85 fuel.

The state board approved a $2.00 admission fee for the 1994 show. The 1993 high school guidance counselor tour was successful and the board approved funding for 1994. Manitowoc County, the only applicant was selected as the host county for 1997. Extension leaders reported support for extension’s involvement is $5,000 from UW- Extension and $2,500 from UW-Madison, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The litigation on the injury received by an FFA members volunteering at the 1990 show is ongoing. The board approved the printing of a annual brochure for the show one year in advance of the show. The board strongly recommended they avoid designating any product as the ‘Official’ product of the show. The issue arose from beverage in an earlier county.

The board chose to deviate from the two summer-one fall show rotation to three successive summer shows to avoid conflict with the Farm Progress show in Illinois. The board approved support for AG Tech 2000, a cutting exhibit at the 1994 show in Columbia County. The first commemorative tractor sold for $49.95 and costing the county $30.00 in Columbia County. One hundred tractors were sold at the show and the remaining tractors were sold on consignment at two local implement dealers. The authorized the commemorative tractor activity be continued. The executive director expressed concern for absenteeism at the board meetings and sent a letter to board members regarding this concern 1995 Washington – Agribusiness on the Urban Edge

Because of the short distance to Milwaukee, the 1995 show, Jul 11 -13, was on the urban edge at the time of the show near Slinger. Today, 2014, the show site has been developed into residential housing and businesses. The hosts were Dan and Marge Neuberg who operated the farm with their sons, Dan, Jr. and Donald, They operated a farm with 100 milk cows and about 800 crop acres. The cows were milked in double seven parlor and housed in a freestall barn. Crops raised by the Neuberg’s include corn, alfalfa, soybeans, red beets, winter wheat and oats.

Figure 1995-1. Host Farm, Neuberg.

The weather was extremely warm during the show creating some emergency medical needs. The temperatures reached 108 degrees in nearby Milwaukee, a record. Although the weather affected attendance, it was estimated at 85,000.

Field demonstration involved harvesting alfalfa as hay and silage. Mower-conditioners, rakes, forage harvesters and balers producing large round and square bales. Visitor were able observe the performance of blowers at the Nueberg’s silos. No-till planters and drills were demonstrated near the farmstead. Alfalfa silage was bagged on a neighboring farm. Twelve TMR mixers were demonstrated during the show and samples were collected and a particle size analysis was completed on a sample from each mixer. Visitors were to observe Holstein steers grazing on a rotational grazing pasture. Since fencing is an important element of rotational grazing, visitors could entered a fence building competition to determine how fast they can build a fence. A new fuel storage system was displayed which environmental requirements with regard to secondary containment regarding fuel spills.

Farmers visiting the show were invited to bring forage samples for particle size analysis. In addition, samples were collected from the forage harvesters participating in the field demonstrations. The results from the particle size analysis, primarily mean particle length, was shared with the show visitors.

An exhibit of much interest in the Progress Pavilion was dairy futures and option contracts. Other exhibits in the Pavilion were Long Range Farm Budgets, Weed Doctors, Bug Doctors, Master Gardener, Pest Management, Food Safety, Pesticide Applicator Training, Water Quality-Nitrates and Crop Insurance.

New was a conservation tent which featured protecting water quality. The exhibits were erosion and runoff reduction, reducing the risk of farm injuries, improving groundwater quality, and crediting for nitrogen. Other issues address were primarily for the homeowner regarding lawn maintenance, fall leaf management and water runoff control from your home.

Health services available during the show were skin cancer screening, blood pressure testing, tetanus shots, hearing tests and respiratory health information. Families - On the Edge was the theme of the Family Living Tent. The programs were Blue Chip Attitude, Health Beat, Food Safety – Chances and Choices, The Spinning of Fiber Art, Cooking Demonstration – Pork, and Boehike Woodland Gardens. Orion Samuelson broadcast his WGN noon show from the Family Living Tent. Thirteen exhibits were in the tent focused on farm family history in the area. The Neuberg family home was remodeled just before the show and was available for tours.

Youth – Vision of Things to Come was the theme of the youth tent and arena The demonstration in the arena were Llamas, Rotweiler Cart Pulling, Herding, Dog Weight Pulling, Dog Obeience, Dog Agility, Beef Fitting, Sheep Shearing and Fishing. 4-H youth performed on the stage, primarily music. The State Youth Soil Judging Awards were presented on the stage. Board minutes were not available for 1995. 1996 – Marathon – Producing for the World

The show, July 16-18, returns to Marathon County after 22 years. The Ross-Hart Dairy Farm near Marathon City on Highway 29 was the site of the show. The thru traffic on 29 was detoured around the site. Some key family members were Robert, Roger, Verlyn and Jane Ross and Pete Hart. The host farm had a new 24-cow milking parlor with an electronic cow identification system. A new 258-cow free stall barn was available to visitors. A newly constructed ‘dream’ home was available for touring and drew many visitors.

Figure 1996-1. New dream home open for tours.

Field demonstrations focused on hay harvesting. This was the first show with the Ride and Drive which populated primarily by farm tractor manufacturers. Attendance on the first day of the show was estimated to be 40,000 visitors. About 15 TMR mixers were demonstrated using a Ross-Hart ration and visitors were able to get a bird’s eye view of the mixing and a sample of the resultant mixes.

Figure 1996-2. TMR demonstration. Numerous variety plots were planted and available for viewing. Crops in the plots were corn, soybeans, oats, barley, peas, and millet. Biotechnology plots were also available comparing biotech varieties with non-bio-tech varieties. Ginseng, an important crop for Marathon Agriculture, plots and production information were available.

Some highlights of the Progress Pavilion were AgrAbility of Wisconsin (program for farmers with disabilities), plant, bug and weed doctors, and food safety. Visitors could bring in water samples for nitrate testing. Horticultural specialists discussed garden crops.

A Peaceful Haven in a Stressful World was the theme for the Family Living tent. The exhibits and stage presentations focused on health and relaxation including entertainment. Presentations were lung disease and related services, landscaping, bread machines, preventing injuries, body mechanics, nutritional health, and farm emergency. Exhibits were quilters, respiratory disease prevention, small kitchen appliances, Hmong culture, effective parenting, crime prevention, and cardiac disorders.

Educating Youth for the World was the theme selected for the Youth tent which featured of the Youth tent were art, fishing and olympics. Highlights in the youth arena were daily presentations on beef, dairy, hog and sheep nutrition, fitting, grooming, handling and showing. Tractor and ATV safety was demonstrated in the arena. Many county 4-H clubs provided entertainment and demonstrations on the stage. Educational programs on the stage were firearm safety, farm safety, family nutrition, biotechnology, bicycle safety, computers, fishing, and photography. The Wisconsin FFA and 4-H soil judging contest was held nearby during the show and the results were presented on the youth stage.

Careers in agriculture was a new feature where tours were arranged for visitors to visit with exhibitors who had volunteered to share their experience. Careers which were part of the tent city tour were agricultural mechanization, animal science, agri-sciences and sales, natural resource management and plant science technology.

Heritage equipment was highlighted with operating shingle and saw mills and a threshing machine. Many historic tractors were on display including an Oil Pull and an Avery, which was nearly twelve feet tall. About 4.5 acres was used for the heritage equipment display.

During the 1996 show, a survey of show visitors participating in educational exhibits was conducted as they exit the exhibit and two weeks after the show. Results proved the educational efforts were worthwhile, advanced promotion of the educational exhibit proved beneficial, and farmers learn best from other farmers. Recommendations from the study were university efforts need to continue in future shows, publicizing the educational effort before the show should be strengthened, signage should be improved, efforts should facilitate farmer to farmer instruction, and future evaluations should consider the effectiveness of major theme such as Dairy Profitability in 1996.

Board minutes were not available in 1996. 1997 Manitowoc - Making Waves

With Manitowoc County located on Lake Michigan, making waves was an appropriate theme. The host farm was within a few miles of the lake. The Marlene and Wally Seimers family hosted the show, July 22-24 and had a new 1000 dairy facility. For cropland they had 1,750 acres with 700 for corn (450 for silage), 800 of new and established alfalfa, 200 of soybeans and 40 of winter wheat. Two neighboring farms participated to provide diversity in the show which were accessed through tours.

The Hidden Creek Farm Fallow Deer and Dairy Farm, operated by the Mary and Russell Bonde family, milked 120- 130 cows in a flat milking parlor and housed in three greenhouse barns. Starting as a hobby, the Bonde’s have expanded the herd of deer to 500. They market the venison through Venison America, an organization of deer farmers to market the venison.

Figure 1997-1. Hidden Creek Fallow Deer Farm – Bonde Family and a deer.

Rotational grazing was the primary feature at the Saxon Homestead Farm, operated by the Edward and Margaret Klessig and family. They milked 230 cows in a 28 stall New Zealand parlor know for lost cost. Their rotational grazing consisted of 21 acres on 100 acres. The Klessig’s also had a herd of 50 bison on pasture. They were also planning to manufacture soft cheeses on the farm.

Adjacent to tent city on the Seimers Farm was a wooded area for programs on forest management. A trail through the wooded area for tree identification and tree selection for harvest. Other forest management topics addressed were chain saw safety, gypsy moth traps, oak wilt disease, and history of forestry. In tent, Meeme Creek flowed down fifth street, resulting with fifth street exhibits on booth side of the creek.

Machines in the forage harvesting demonstrations were mower conditioners, rakes, choppers and balers, large square and round bales. The chopped forage was stored in a horizontal silo. Wrapping of the bales was demonstrated. TMR’s were also demonstrated.

The Family Living was a buzz of activity with twenty-one exhibits and numerous educational and musical performances on the stage. The exhibits provided a variety of information including, Public Health is Everywhere, Discover it All in the Library. Therapy and Companion Animals, Farm Safety Specifically for Women, Finding Treasured Antiques, Preserving Families for Stronger Communities and American and Country French Cuisine. A special exhibit was designed to share information about the host families and recipes special for the host families.

The youth program was found in the youth tent and youth arena. Activities took place in exhibitor booths, on the stage and in the arena. Demonstrations in the arena were ATV safety, chainsaw carving, farm and large animal safety, and Manitowoc Police Canine. On the stage, topic covered were biotechnology, surviving a fire, and land judging. The remainder of the stage time was shared by performances from youth and professional performers.

During the annual state board meeting, Brown County and Fond du Lac County applied to host the 2000 show focusing on forage harvesting. Additional counties have indicated an interest in the 2001, 2003 and 2004 shows. Fond du Lac County as selected for the 2000 show.

Due a successful 1996 show in Marathon County, the reserve funds increased by $69,000 and are at $235,000 which serve as an emergency fund. Costs of WI DOT/State traffic Patrol have been an issue in some show and the state board has a policy of not paying these costs. The state board and the counties have collaborated with state legislators to insure these costs are borne by the state agency.

The 1996 Guidance Counselor Tour, now referred to as the Seminar on Wheels, was successful with only ten participants for this two day event. The 1997 tour was approved with a budget of $6,500. A memorandum of understanding was approved with Brandiwood, the on-site electrician. Additional electrical equipment purchase were approved to meet the electric code. The cost of providing electricity to exhibitors continues to rise and methods of covering cost need to be addressed in the future. Currently, the exhibitors were not charged for electrical service.

Sign storage for the show has become an issue. The board approved the purchase of a sign trailer with a $5,000 ceiling pending insurance issues being addressed. A sign trailer was not purchased until 2012.

1998 Dunn – Diversity for the Next Century

The 1998 show (September 22-24) was dedicated to Donald Peterson, who had a long career in extension and with Wisconsin Farm Progress. He passed away on August. Don was a champion for the show serving as chair of the state Board of Directors for eighteen years, retiring in 1993. He then served as Executive Director until his death. For most of his professional career he was employed in extension, first as an state extension specialist and later as the extension program leader of Agriculture and Agribusiness,

The Rusk Prairie Farm and the Priceland Jersey Dairy Farm served as hosts for the 1998 show in Dunn County. The Rusk Prairie Farm was a cash grain and steer operation. The primary crops were corn and soybeans. The Priceland Farm had a herd of registered jersey cows and purchase much of their feed from the Rusk Prairie. The Rusk Prairie Farm had one of the largest collection of Allis Chalmers tractors, many were test tractors that never reached production.

Field demonstrations involved harvesting corn for grain and silage and soybeans. Corn stalks were baled. Show visitors were able test drive a number tractors in the Ride and Drive demonstration.

Figure 1998-1. Round baling of corn stalks.

The Progress Pavilion had a special emphasis on dairy with exhibits on reproductive management, nutrition, heifer raising and modernizing dairy facilities. A computer program, Select 97, will be on display to show visitors how to select crop varieties. The traditional doctors (weed, insect, soil and plant) were available to answer questions. Other exhibits in the pavilion were farmstead wiring, stray voltage, forage storage in a bunker, wildlife and master gardener. A soil pit was available where soil scientists discussed the profile of a Dakota silt loam.

Figure 1998-2. Weed doctors in the progress pavilion.

To recognize the sesquicentennial celebration of Wisconsin statehood, as extensive plot area was established to including some historical crop varieties. Eighty soybean varieties and 150 corn varieties were on display. Native American and open pollinated varieties of corn were included. A plot of Minnesota 13 corn used primarily for bootleg alcohol and called the ‘Booze corn’ was planted.

Family Living and Youth ??

With a focus on diversity, a large tent was devoted to opportunities in diversified agricultural enterprises. Some of the topics were red deer farming, bison production, raising llamas, pick your own berry business, raising emus, organic certification, milking sheep, elk farming, hemp production, pasturing poultry, aquaculture for small farms, shitake mushrooms, and hybrid poplars.

To insure a successful show, first aid must be readily available. One or more first aid tent are located in tent city. These tents are staffed by local medical personnel and properly equipped to easily and quickly provide services in the show area. Another important characteristic of a good show is traffic control and parking. Local law enforcement provides direction for rapid flow of vehicle on the public roads near the show.

Figure 1998-3. Every show has a first aid tent with medical staff and appropriate equipment.

Figure 1989-4. Law enforcement direct traffic on the public roads.

During the 1998 show, a survey of the show visitors was conducted to learn more about their interests and background. Survey results showed visitors found the show very useful (58 percent), very educational (74 percent), made them more aware of technological advances (61 percent) and made them want to learn more (42 percent). Six percent change or decided to change some practice as a result of attending the show.

The General Manager expressed the following concerns regarding the future of the show: large machinery companies have decreased the number of lots rented, consolidations and mergers of companies continue, host farm applications have declined, utility and tentage costs continue to rise. The host county devotes a great deal of effort soliciting contributions and in-kind support and the county and state logo difference are creating some confusion regarding the show’s image.

The 1997 Seminar on Wheels in the Eau Claire area was successful with twenty participants. The Board selected Rock County, the only applicant, as the host for the 2001 show. The State Traffic Patrol issue was addressed in the 1997-99 budget bill which exempted exempted host counties but the governor line item vetoed the provision. Host counties were advised to avoid the use of the State Traffic Patrol except on a voluntary basis and unless absolutely necessary. The purchase of a sign trailer was put on hold due to liability and insurance issues.

Some exhibitors expressed concern for have a fall show in Wisconsin, suggesting the state has forage as its primary crop. This issue was assigned to a committee for review. The board approved commercial exhibitor sponsorship of education exhibits. Up until this time commercial exhibitors were not allowed to sell cash and carry products. The board approved the sale of product that were important and useful to agriculture and directly related to agriculture and may include promotional items that related to exhibitor but does not include household consumer products. To increase family interest in the show an arts/crafts policy was developed. A arts/crafts fair have been successful at other large farm shows. The board approved the policy of arts and craft sales of original work of the exhibitor and must not be mass produced.

The board approved support for a survey to be conducted at the 1998 show as a followup the 1996 show. A concern was expressed for lower participation in the educational exhibits. Visitor participating field plots, field demonstrations and other outdoor activities will be the focus of the survey. The board approved lot and booth rental rates be increased $25.00 starting with the 1999 show in Grant County. 1999 – Grant – Building Centuries of Progress & Promise

The 1999 show, July 13-15, was held near Lancaster with three host farms and four satellite hosts. The hosts were Alan and Delores Schwantes, Roger and Linda Martin, and Ron and Rita Oyen. The Schwantes’ farmed with their son on 620 acres and 120 dairy cows. They had a computerized parlor installed two years before the show. They planned to increase their herd to 175 cows. Tent city was located on their farm along with field demonstrations, mower-conditioners, forage chopping, large round balers and forage blowers. The Martin’s operated a 385 acre dairy farm and raise alfalfa and corn. Their land was used for large square baling and variable rate lime and fertilizer application demonstrations. The Oyen’s own 260 acre dairy farm with a 63 stall stanchion barn operating a capacity. Demonstrations on their farm included mower-conditioners, forage chopping and silage bagging.

Satellite farms: The Anderson farm, owned by Darwin and Roxie, provided parking for the show. The Anderson’s have a sixty acres growing corn and alfalfa and corn and raising twenty beef animals. The Atkinson Farm, owned by Dan and Cindy, provided land for parking and field demonstrations, mower- conditioners and large square baling. They have 192 acre farm and experienced a barn fire in 1998. They were in the process of making plans for the future direction of their farming operation. Jeff and Amy Bahl’s farm was used for field demonstrations, mower-conditioner, large square baling and forage chopping. The Bahl’s had a 153 acre dairy farm with a fifty cow herd. They raise primarily alfalfa and corn. Richard and Rhonda Wiedenbeck’s farm provided 27vacres for round baling hay demonstrations. Their farm had been in their family for 150 years. Their Riverview Farm had 410 acres, 314 0wned and the remainder was rented. They raise beef and swine.

The 1999 show had the greatest number of farmers hosting the show. Special efforts were needed to insure the harvested crops were delivered to the correct farm.

The 1999 show had more 550 exhibitors from 25 states and four countries. Lots sold numbered 893.

Figure 1989-1. Aerial view of tent city during the Grant County.

Field Demonstrations focused on forage harvesting-mower-conditioner, rake, forage choppers, nalers (large round and square), and variable rate lime and fertilizer applicators. Other machines demonstrated were forage blowers, bale transporters and handling, silage baggers, bale wrapping and total mixed ration mixer (TMR). This was the first year large bale silage was a part of the ration for the TMR’s.

The Progress Pavilion was filled with many exhibits from UW-Extension and state and federal government agencies. The first ‘Biggest Wisconsin Weed Contest’ was held during this show. Visitors were invited to bring their weeds, maximum-two per person. The largest weed was determined by laying the plant on the ground and adding the length and width.

‘Dairy Profits Seminars’ were held in the Midwest Dairy Business tent. Seminars included Environmental Issues, Personnel Management, and Financial Management. Following each seminar, a panel of farmers discussed their views regarding these seminar topics.

The theme of the Family tent was ‘The Roots of the Past, Branching out to the Future’. The programs were diverse. Examples of the programs were Music for all Ages, Eating Well for Less Money, Echos of our Cornish Past, Dealing with Grief and Quilting Gadgets and Notions.

The theme of the youth tent and arena was ‘Progress and Promise Begin with our Youth’. Activities in the arena included Stock Handling with Dogs, Dairy Fitting, Animal Safety, Wool Spinning, Canine Demonstration and Tractor Driving Contest. The youth tent had a performance stage and numerous exhibits. The stage in the youth tent featured performances by Grant County 4-H club members. The results of the land judging contest were present on the stage. Exhibits in the youth tent included agricultural safety, gun safety, face painting, international decorations, and a dairy related educational game.

A large area was dedicated to heritage equipment. In addition, horse drawn equipment operated in a nearby hay field including mower, rake and hay loader. Other exhibits were 12-horse sweep and wood thresher, horse powered hay press, check row corn planting and steam and gasoline threshing.

Adjacent to the show site was an historical land mark, a Civil War Cemetery for African Americans. Pleasant Ridge was a small community established by pre civil for people who escaped slavery in the southern states. The community reached a population of 100 about the time of the civil. All that remains is the cemetery.

Figure 1999-2. Pleasant Ridge Cemetery located adjacent to the show site.

Two memorials were established to recognize Don Peterson contributions to the show as chair of the state board and later served as secretary-treasurer. Don passed away in 1998.The Manitowoc County Executive Committee established a scholarship for Manitowoc county youth planning to attend UW- Madison, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls or UW-Stevens Point. In 1999, Jamie Tienor of Reedsville was the first recipient. The Peterson family established a memorial fund through the UW-Foundation to encourage UW faculty to participate in the technology transfer. The Peterson family awards started in 2000. Funds for supporting both scholarships were placed in the UW-Foundation and continue to be awarded in 2014.

During the 1999 board meeting the General Manager once again expressed concerns about the future of the show. The issues were 1. Lack of counties applying to host the show due to limited county extension staff support, 2. Need for an exhibitor coordinator to provide improved and consistent relations with exhibitors, 3. Need for greater education support of the show, and 4. Staffing plan for transition of the general manager position.

The 1998 survey was followup to the 1996 survey and consisted of the components: on-site surveys (600) of show visitors conducted by UW-River Falls students, three focus groups and a followup mailed survey to the on-site participants. The goal of the survey was to determine the benefits of the show to visitors. The conclusions presented to the board were the results were similar to the 1996 survey and future survey was needed with more visitors participating.

Based on the auditor’s recommendation, the general manager’s salary will be paid as an employee of WFPD Inc instead of an employee of the UW. This change provided a savings to the state board. The person in the program assistant support will continue to be paid as a university employee. Richland County, the only applicant, was selected as the host for the 2002 show. The board approved a $50 increase in the lot and booth fees per unit but a $50 discount if the fees were paid four months before the show. The resultant expected revenue increase was from $20,000 to $25,000.

The Seminar on Wheels was successful in 1998 and was continued in 1999 but scheduled in early summer instead of early to increase the potential for more participants. To address issues with the WI Department of Transportation, a sub-committee was established to approach the department for possible membership on the state board. Due to concern about the WI Farm Progress Days image, a sub- committee was established to develop a explore ideas for image building and marketing.

Managing the financial investments was established where three funds areas were developed: operating fund (checking and money market), emergency fund and a contingency fund. The latter two funds were invested in funds with greater returns than operating money market. The emergency fund was invested to be readily available. The need for an exhibitor coordinator was discussed and more research was needed before a decision can be made. Working with the general manager, the executive committee was directed to explore a staffing plan for transitioning of a new general manager.

Four the 1999 budget, the board increase the educational support for extension from $5,000 to $7,500, discontinue the support for an electrical consultant (s savings of $4,000), and approved $5,000 for the Donald Peterson Memorial Fund.

2000 – Fond du Lac – A Beacon in the Next Millennium

The Abel’s, Alan and Carol, Farm near Eden was the primary host farm for the 2000 show, July 11-13. To provide added field demonstration and diversity eight satellite farms participated in the show. These farms were Virginia King farm, Patrick and Mary O’Brien farm, O’Brien Estate, Don and Diane Gudex and Mike Baumhardt farm, James and Jackie Galligan farm, Ren-Mar Jerseys farm, Dale and Ann Grahl Dinner Bell farm and Tim and Jackie Murphy Murphyway Holstein Farm.

The Abels operate 1,500 acres and had a milking herd to 570 which they plan to expand 1,500 cows. The cows are milked in twelve double parlor expandable to a double twenty. The milking system is computerized to collect daily individual cow production and an adjustable parlor operator floor to accommodate milkers of various heights. All electronic equipment is in a basement below the parlor. A new farm building design, hoop structure was constructed on the Abel farm. This canvas covered metal hoops provided a low cost facility with a short constructions time.

Figure 2000-1. Canvas covered, low cost livestock building on host farm.

Fond du Lac County committee was into facts and numbers. They 50 telephone lines, 2 cellular towers, and 36 electrical transformer poles located in tent city. The show featured forage, primarily alfalfa silage, was harvested during the show. Field demonstration machinery included 11 mower conditioners, 8 rakes and mergers, 5 round balers, 3 large square balers, six forage harvesters, 15 forage boxes and one live bottom truck. To meet the needs of visitors, show had 100 portable toilets, 20 wash stations, and a shuttle service to a local airport for the expected 70-80 visitors flying to the show.

Harvesting alfalfa forage was the focus of the field demonstrations. Machines seen in field operation were mower-conditioners, choppers, balers, rakes, bale handlers, bale processors, bale wrappers, silage bagging, and bunker filling. A rotary tillage machine demonstrated pasture renovation. Three companies had tractors in the Ride and Drive available for visitors to operate. Fifteen exhibitors had mixers in the TMR demonstrations where machine was provided a ration and visitors were able to see the feed ingredients mixed in each machine. Alfalfa Alley was an area with forty alfalfa varieties were planted in plot is historical order demonstrating the advancement of seed technology over the years.

Figure 2000-2. Alfalfa alley with historical varieties.

Progress Pavilion had its usual variety of educational booths. The soil, plant, insect and weed doctors were available to answer plant health questions. Other extension exhibits were master gardener, wildlife on the farm, and photo doctor (4-H youth development). Representatives for state and federal agencies had exhibits with staff to answer questions. Of much interest were exhibits on clean sweep, gypsy moth, agricultural statistics, dyed diesel fuel regulations and income tax credits.

To address environmental issues on the farm, a Nutrient Management theme tent provided a place to obtain answers to question about manure management, nonpoint pollution regulations, nutrient management plans, and manure storage structures. Information was provided by extension and state agency staff and several exhibitors who had expertise in this area.

A dairy theme tent had many exhibits describing the latest dairy technology. A commercially available robotic milker was operational for visitors. Other booths in the tent were ultrasonic machine for pregnancy check, reproductive tract of a cow, fistulated cow, Johne’s disease, milk quality, biosecurity, and contagious and environmental mastitis.

A statewide agricultural newspaper sponsored a theme tent, Farming … the Next Generation which was staffed by extension staff. The primary themes were Communication – Can Work Together, Does the Business Provide the Resources to Meet the Goal, and Farm Succession and Estate Planning. Some specific topics were farm transfers, borrowing, tax issues, record keeping, financial management, accounting and goal setting. An agricultural diversification theme tent staff provided information on alternative agriculture. Plant and animal enterprises discussed were emu, elk, red deer, llama, aquaculture, organic crops, veal, poplars, and equine. In addition health and safety and local food systems were discussed. Organizations represented in this theme tent were WI Veal Growers, UW Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, WI Horse Council, WI Emu Association, WI Aquaculture Association, Normande Genetics, and WI Deer and Elk Association.

Family Living committee used the show related theme, ‘A Beacon of Information and Entertainment’ to plan their activities. Informational program on their stage included Foods that Fight Diseases, Container Gardening, Family Care, Cancer in Rural Populations, Youth and Farm Safety, Organic Gardening, The Dietary Supplement Game, and Sharing Science with Children. Several local entertainers performed on the stage. Exhibits in the Family Living address topics of money management, back and proper lifting, Fond du Lac tourist highlights, emergency financial assistance, and emergency medical aid. Blood pressure testing and tetanus shots were available.

A new activity in the youth tent was a goat milking contest primarily for celebrities, leaders in Wisconsin agriculture. A tent and an arena served as the center of the youth activities. In the tent numerous exhibits were available and the stage had a number of informational and entertaining performances. Booths featured topics such as biotechnology, farm youth safety, dairy trivia, 4-H shooting sports, birds of prey and soil erosion watershed. On the stage numerous local 4-H club and local youth groups performed. The results of the state soil judging contest and the state FFA tractor operators’ contests were announced. These events took place earlier in the area (soil) on the show site (tractor). In the arena, demonstrations were held on elk, K-9 Police Units, working stock dogs, sled dogs, ATV Safety, and PTO safety.

The board received applications from Waupaca and Clark County to host the 2003 show. Waupaca County was selected because this will be the 50th anniversary for the show and Waupaca County hosted the first two shows. The general manager continued to express concern about host county applicants for future shows although interest have been received for 2005 show. The board approved three year contracts with Freeman Decorating and Brandiwood Electric. The WI DOT issue was addressed by not inviting department to have a board representative as recommended by an elected member of the state legislature. The Seminar on Wheels was discontinued. The image building/marketing effort resulted in wider distribution of the WFPD brochure, establishing a web site and requesting counties to increase their efforts in marketing the show.

An exhibit coordinator applicant was introduced at the Annual Meeting of the state board. Shortly after the spring board meeting Anna Maenner of ACM Inc. was hired.

A survey of the 1999 show exhibitors was conducted to determine the exhibitors’ opinions and preferences about show policies, facilities, and quality. The exhibitors rated the show good to fair with respect to policies. Exhibitors suggested greater show promotion through more ads on TV, improved web site, start publicity early and increase advertisement in local agricultural suppliers. The exhibitors were disappointed in the show attendance and exhibitor parking. The board addressed the financial investment concerns by establishing Endowment Fund and an Emergency Fund at the UW Foundation The board’s representative is able to withdraw money from those funds to address needs of the board with board approval. The UW Foundation staff invest these funds so the rate of return will be variable.

A 1999 show review-exhibitor meeting was held to gain input from exhibitors for improving the show. Major issues of the 1999 show were the lack of convenient exhibitor parking, poor highway access to the show site and the lack of nearby lodging. Other concerns were poor maintenance of the restrooms, availability of drinking water in the demonstration fields, and the exhibitor cost of mowing the show lots. The board approved the cost of mowing the lots would be borne by the county and free to the exhibitors.

The admission fee of $2.00 will remain. The Arts and Crafts policy for booth rental will remain the same, 70/30 split between county and state. A cash and carry policy was adopted for the 2000 show for exhibitors to sell toys, commemorative, and collector items related to their product on a one year trial basis.

The budget was developed to reflect the income generated at the foundation and Klahn replaced Marcy Rosenow on the board as the host farm representative. LaVerne Ausman was elected to the Executive Committee. Sandra Chalmers replaced Mike Lester as the WiDATCP representative. An additional member was added to increase representation of the exhibitors from three to four. The new member would be exhibitor at large. The current the exhibitor members appear to represent machine, animal and seed industries. Rick Klemme was elected chair of the board, replacing Neal Jorgensen. Bruce Odeen was reelected vice chair.

2001- Rock – Agriculture….More Than a Meal

The 2001 show, September 18-20, was the third time for Rock County to serve as the county host. The Venable Family hosted the show near Emerald Grove. The Venable Farm consisted of 1,900 acres of corn and soybeans and a 3,000 head of beef steers marketed annually. The progressive Venable Farm managed manure application to minimize runoff by injecting the manure into the soil and the manure virtually all the needed soil nutrients. The custom steer feeding operation utilized computerized implants with ultra sound technology to monitor animal growth and determine the most economical marketing of the animals.

Figure 2001-1. Aerial photo of the Venable Host Farm

Field demonstrations during this fall show focused on corn (silage and grain) and soybean harvesting. Six combines harvested corn, ranging from six to twelve row heads, and three combines harvested soybeans, with thirty foot heads. UW-Extension staff analyzed combine corn losses and all combines were very well adjusted. Six forage harvesters harvested corn silage. Large round and square balers were used to bale corn stalks. Other harvesting related equipment demonstrated were silage baggers, stalk shredders, grain carts, forage wagons, and bale handling transporters. Chisel plows, subsoilers, no- till planters and no-till drills were also demonstrated. Liquid manure application equipment were demonstrated.

A new tent is this show was the new products which was developed to provide resources for emerging businesses. The UW Extension Emerging Marketing Team will provide information on the pros and cons of potential entrepreneurial projects. Exhibitors in the tent were breed associations of exotic animals, lenders, and other businesses that were able to provide supportive information.

Another new tent at this show was the Nutrient Management, where visitors learned about nutrient management plans including proper manure application. Phosphorous was the most common nutrient of concern. Information available included manure composting, methane production from digesters, soil testing, soil fertility recommendations, and custom manure hauling and application.

The Conservation Tent was staffed with people who provided information on restoring wetlands, promoting rotational grazing, protecting wild animals and birds, evaluating animal damage and promoting wise use of resources. A variety of environmental organizations will be represented. The theme for the Family Living Tent was Family – Heart of the Farm. The programs addressed physical, mental and spiritual health of the farmer and members of the farm family. Examples of programs on the Family Living stage were Passing Down the Farm, A Boost for Every Body, Women as Health-care Decision makers, the Hurried Child, Taking Time for Parenting, Stress Less-Live More and Chores Without Pain. Orion Samuelson did a live broadcast from the show.

A youth tent was action packed with exhibits and stage performances by youth groups. Fifteen teaching stations were available: Safety, Biotech, Beef, Dairy, Sheep, Swine, Horse, Poultry, Horticulture, Machinery/Shop, Processing Food, Conservation/Natural Resources, Ag. Supply Professional Careers and Specialty Crops. All Rock County schools provided teaching curricula pertinent to the show and received a special invitation to attend. The curricula had videos from Pork Producers, Milk Marketing Board Farm Bureau and Farm Safety for Just Kids.

The Commemorative Tractor was the little known Samson Model D Iron Horse, manufactured in Janesville from 1919 to 1923. Due to the high cost of production, manufacturing was discontinued and the manufacturing plant became the General Motors plant in Janesville.

Figure 2001-2. Rosie, a sculpture signed by Badger Football player Ron Dayne, was auctioned during the show.

During the show intensive rains fell causing the show to be closed one day. The Rock County committee was able pump most of the water out of tent city the day following the rain.

Figure 2001-3. Wet street during the 2001 show At the board meeting, Chippewa County applied to host the 2004 as a fall show. Chippewa County was the only applicant and was selected. Clark County indicated an interest in hosting the 2005 show. An informal review of the 2000 show by the exhibitors indicate a very successful show with traffic conditions excellent and the use of entry window tags for exhibitors was well received.

Board decision to make the name change from Wisconsin Farm Progress Days to Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. The change reflected the changes in agricultural technology and to reduce the confusion between this show and the Farm Progress Company and their show Farm Progress Show. A new logo was developed which was required to be a part of the county logos each year. The use of the new show logo and name will start with the 2003 show.

Figure 2001-4. New logo developed with the new show name.

Anna Maenner, exhibit coordinator, completed her first year working with the show. Using information obtained from the 2000 show in Fond du Lac County, Maenner was able to develop a database of exhibitors which provided a starting point to contact but each year the turnover in exhibitors. Therefore the county must provide a list of local potential exhibitors to insure a successful show.

The board approved a program layout that included a list of exhibitors, activities and layout while omitting excessive advertising. Rock County requested an increase in admission fees from $2.00 to $3.00. The request was denied. Board approved agriculture toy exhibitors and sales at future shows.

The contracts were renewed for three years with Freeman Decorating and Brandiwood electric. The board approved increasing the membership of the executive committee from four to five, the new member being board member at large. David Schmidt, machinery representative, resigned from the board. Gary Wallander was his replacement. Klemme was elected chair and Odeen was elected vice chair. 2002 – Richland – Celebrating a Rich Tradition of Family History

This summer show, July 11-13, was hosted Greenheck and Schmidt farms near Lone Rock. Greenheck’s, Albert and Ann farmed with their son Greg had 220 head of registered Holsteins, 120 milk cow and 100 replacement heifers. Their crop land consisted of 200 acres of soybeans, 250 acres of alfalfa, 150 acres of corn and 100 acres of canning crops. The Schmidt’s, Randy with his family and parents, milked 470 free-stall barn with a double ten parallel milking parlor, milking the cows five times every two days.

Harvesting alfalfa as hay and silage was the primary focus of the field demonstrations. Machines operating the field were mower-conditioners, balers, rakes, choppers, and bale handlers. Other machines demonstrated were bale processors, bunker facers, bale wrapping, silage bagging, bunker filling, and TMR’s (both vertical and horizontal). Ride and drive had two companies represented.

Figure 2002-1. Large self-propelled forage harvester demonstration.

Visitors were able to enter the biggest weed contest in the Progress Pavilion at the Weed Doctor exhibit. The Soil, Plant and Insect Doctors were available to answer questions related to their area of expertise. Visitors were able have their drinking water analyzed for nitrate. Other extension exhibits were master gardener, properly abandoning a well, energy (bio digesters and solar power), safety and health (AgrAbility and Healthy Farmers Healthy Profits), and photo doctor. Other exhibits in the pavilion were provided by the WI Humanities Council, WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, USDA Farm Service Agency, WI Technical College System, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, and WI Department of Public Instruction.

Conservation and Nutrient Management tent exhibits featured resource management efforts of individuals, government agencies and environmental organizations. Representatives came from UW Soil and Plant Analysis Lab, Discovery Farms, Fiber Crop Development and Utilization Program, UW Forest Ecology, WI Agricultural Stewardship Initiative, UW Platteville Pioneer Farm and the Agricultural Farm*A*Syst Program.

Farming the Next Generation tent had panels of farmers and specialist discussing the issues facing farmers in the future. Issues addressed were land use issues, the code of country living and beginning to dairy farm.

The sixth Annual Planning for Profit seminars were scheduled in a Dairy Business and Extension Center tent. Three panels of farmers and extension discussed timely emerging topics. Topics discussed during the emerging technologies were robotic milking, handheld computers and manure digesters. The emerging dairy markets seminar focused on marketing topics related processing and marketing of specialty cheeses. With emerging dairy systems, panelists discussed custom heifer raising, retrofitted established dairy operation and neighbors partnering with a neighbor to build a new dairy.

A new addition to the show was the Life Sciences and Society Pavilion, where university researchers shared the results of their work. Hands on activities were DNA from wheat germ, micropipetting, glow germ challenge-washing hands, lifecycle big green horn worm caterpillar. Other interactive stations were mapping genes, yeast-one cell wonder, first fully mapped plant genome, from fry to fish in a flash, and see through worm of insight.

Another new education center was the sheep tent. Sheep production management was the focus of this program, providing information on parasite, breed and meat characteristics, working dogs and nutrition. Ten breeds of sheep were exhibited so trait differences were visualized.

Family Living tent a large number of exhibitors and informational and entertaining programs on the stage, Exhibitors were American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Crime Stoppers, City of Richland Center, Master Gardener, Red Star Yeast, Richland County Health, Wisconsin Women in Agriculture, Richland Hospital, and Wisconsin Antibiotics Resistance Network. A highlight on the stage was Orion Samuelson of WGN in Chicago. Informational presentations were Happy Bones, History of Richland County, Re- creating a Bison Ranch, Crime Stoppers, Homemade Bread, Enjoy the Harvest, Safe Sitters Program, Landscaping with Herbs, Helping Others Prevent and Educate about Suicide, and Stitching a Memory.

Demonstrations in the Youth arena were electrical safety, sheep fitting, sheep herding, dairy fitting and showing, Sauk County K-9 unit, farm tractor safety, and beef fitting. Performances on the stage were entertained, provided by 4-H members from Richland County and the neighboring counties.

Figure 2002-2. Sheep herding demonstration in the youth arena.

The theme of the beef tent was Here’s the Beef, which was sponsored by the Wisconsin Cattleman’s Association. Five breed associations had animals and information available. The Wisconsin Beef Council provided support and information. Seminars presented in the beef tent were show animal nutrition, beef dairy quality assurance, animal identification, new beef products, value added cuts of beef, food safety, beef grades, and preconditioning biosecurity.

Clark County, the only host county applicant was approved for the 2005 show. The board approved to increase the admission fee from $2.00 to $3.00 and to increase the lot and booth rentals by ten percent. Due to the weather, Wednesday of the 2001 show in Rock County was cancelled resulting some field demonstration fields not being harvested. The board agreed to provide $3,000 support to Rock County for the unharvested crop.

The new WFTD logo was introduced at the media day for the 2002 show. At the same time the name change from Wisconsin Farm Progress Days to Wisconsin Farm Technology Days was announced. Host counties were asked to include the state logo in their county logo.

Funding for the educational efforts of UW-Extension, the support was increased from $7,500 to $10,000. The program provided by the Wisconsin Agriculturalist was improved but they were asked to make it more user friendly and remove less pertinent information. The board approved corporate sponsorship of trams at $500 per tram and corporate signage would be permitted on the trams. Two new trams were added.

Up until this time, the Kick Off Banquet was designed to show appreciation for the efforts of the show volunteers. The board approved a separate volunteer event scheduled after the show to recognize the support of the volunteers. The board provided $2,500 support for the event. Many volunteers were unable to attend the event on the evening before the show. The Kick Off Banquet was modified to invited only state board members, host farmers, and county executive committee members.

The lot and booth fees were increased ten percent effective with the 2003 show. Due to the show name change, cost of $500 were incurred and approved for changes in the highway signs. Due to problems with tent rental markup by the counties and the impact of other tent providers, the board approved the tent rental will be managed by the exhibit coordinator, maximum tent markup of the state contract rate was set at ten percent and the exhibitor list will no longer be sold. The admission fee was raised from $2.00 to $3.00, the first increase since 1994. A public/public survey was approved for the 2002 show in Richland County. Board members would administer the survey.

Terry LeFever was elected to the board replacing Bruce Odeen. Klemme and Ausman were elected board chair and vice-chair respectively. Behr was elected to the executive committee replacing Odeen. 2003 – Waupaca – 50 Years of Progress

The 50th show, July 15-17, was celebrated and the new logo and show name were used for the show. Clinton Family once again hosted the show. They were the host in 1978, the 25th show. Since their earlier show they have expanded their dairy herd to 150 cow using a flat barn parlor with a double six design. They raise their dairy replacements and 100 steers on a nearby farm. Their crop acreage increased from 600 acres in 1978 to 2,300 acres raising corn and soybeans for their livestock. A 200,000 bushel grain handling system and storage facility was recently added. They also raised 300 acres of alfalfa and 100 acres of cabbage.

Waupaca committee members commemorative the earlier show in 1954 and 1955 when they selected the Oliver 77 tractor and Oliver plow, which was used to win the youth level land plowing contest in 1955. The original plow was obtained and displayed during the show. The original tractor was not found but an identical tractor was on display with the plow.

Figure 2003. The Oliver 77 tractor and plow shown with large modern tractor and subsoiler. Alfalfa as silage was harvested all three days of the show where mowers, rakes, choppers, balers, forage wagon, blowers and silage baggers. An area was set aside for demonstration global positioning system (GPS) equipment where guidance system operation was demonstrated. Tiling and nutrient application methods unique to the soil in Waupaca County and in other areas in eastern Wisconsin.

Progress Pavilion exhibits include proper well abandonment, AgrAbility, wildlife impact on agriculture, electrical energy conservation and alternative sources, women in agriculture, conservation incentives in the farm bill, and master gardeners. The perennial Doctors (Soil, Weed, Insect and Plant) were available to answer questions on sick plants.

Food from Farm to Table was a new theme tent and was designed to provide visitors with an understanding of the role that animal agriculture plays in maintaining a safe food supply. Exhibitors addressing this issue were Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, UW Extension Beef Team, UW Extension Milk Quality Team, UW School of Veterinary Medicine, and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Additional exhibitors were Focus on Energy, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, and the Farm and Home Environment Program.

Another theme tent was Dairy Technology, which had dairy seminars and exhibits. Exhibitors included AgSource, AMPI, Midwest Dairy Business and numerous dairy semen providers. The seminars were ‘A Look at Getting Started in Dairy’, ‘A Look at the Best Investments in Agriculture’, ‘A Look at Effective Intergenerational Involvement’ and ‘A Look at Maximizing Profit on Your Dairy Operation’.

The Conservation and Land Use tent provided visitors with information about old and new conservation practices. Issues addressed wetland and prairie restoration, water quality, buffers, and urban sprawl impact on agriculture. Near the tent visitors were able to observe a restored wetland, riparian buffer, and an earthen dike to retain water.

Celebrating 50 Years of Family Living was the theme of the Family Living tent which had numerous stage program addressing timely issues and exhibits. The programs were Creating Safe Play Areas on Farms, Balancing Family with Work, Outreach to Hispanics and Latinos – Our Newest Neighbors, Farm Use of Computers, Information Available on the Web, Farm Finances, Family Stress, Surviving Farming, and Thriving with your Teen.

The Youth Tent and Arena had a variety of activities for all ages. The stage performance topics were farm safety, recycling birds of prey, and a bovine fistula, an opening into a cow stomach. The exhibits in the youth tent were provided by youth groups: 4-H, FFA, Jr. Holstein Association, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, PAS, and the Wisconsin Education Council. In the outdoor arena were a horse show, beef and dairy fitting clinics, police and stock dog demonstrations, sheep shearing and a milking contest.

Sheboygan County was approved as the host for the 2006 show. Sheboygan was the only applicant. Action was postponed on a promotional ideas of mailing post card to all Wisconsin farmers, use post cards turned into exhibitor for a prize and a skid-steer rodeo. A public address system was purchased with four speakers mounted on a pole near the center of tent city with amplifier and microphone in the headquarters trailer. The board retained the cost of electrical service for an exhibitor’s lot remain at $100. Booth rental rates include the cost of electrical service. Klemme and Ausman were re-elected chair and vice-chair, respectively of the board. Behr and Wallander were elected to another three year terms on the board.

2004 – Chippewa – Investing in the Future

The Hilger Family hosted the 2004, September 21-23, near Bloomer in Chippewa County. The farm was managed by the Hilger brothers, Stave, Joe and Fred. The farm had grown to 2,200 acres with 1,200 acres of corn, 300 acres of soybeans and 700 acres of alfalfa. The 429 head of Holsteins were housed in six-row drive through free-stall barn and milked in a double-eight parlor. Commemorative tractor was a John Deere 4230, an actual tractor owned by the host farm, Hilger Farms. Their tractor had 20,000 hours of operation on the Hilger Farm.

Field demonstrations features forage (corn silage) harvesters with crop processors, corn combining, deep tillage, chisel plowing, stalk shredding and precision agriculture technology. This was the first show to feature lawn and garden and other equipment for the farm with small acreages.

A variety of educational opportunities were available in the Progress Pavilion. Information was provided by UW Extension, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, USDA Natursl Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Services Agency, AgrAbility of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Commerce and the Wisconsin Technical College System. Some of the topics discussed were innovations in value added agriculture, financial management tools, home gardening and landscaping and women agriculture. The Soil, Plant, Insect and Weed Doctors were available to answer questions regarding plant health.

Partners in Conservation theme tent had a variety of exhibits from government agencies and environmental groups. Visitors learn about minimizing run off, sharing land with wildlife, restoration of Lake Como, ATV Safety, trout stream improvement, aquatic invasive species, and whooping crane reintroduction. Government agencies involved were Department of Natural Resources, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency, Chippewa Land Conservation Department, UW Extension, US Fish and Wildlife Service and Resource Conservation Development. Environmental and conservation groups participating were Ice Age Trail Foundation, West Wisconsin Land Trust, Grass works, Coulee and Chippewa Grazing, Wisconsin Tree Farm, Pheasants Forever, Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association, Prairie Enthusiasts and Beaver Creek Reserve Nature Center. Visitors were able to pick up packets of prairie and tree seeds.

A theme tent was devoted to animal agriculture, which focused on the importance of animal agriculture in Wisconsin with an emphasis on beef, dairy, poultry, sheep, swine and specialty animals. Speakers discussed nutrient management, feedlot siting, emerging markets, dairy modernization, risk management and premises identification. Included in the twenty exhibitors were Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Wisconsin Discovery Farms, Meat Animal Quality Assurance Program, Milk Money, the Wisconsin Technical College System and the Western Wisconsin Renewable Energy Cooperative.

Family Living tent had a theme of ‘Family – Heart of the Harvest’. Programs included Preventing Disability in Agriculture, The Farming Blues – or Something More, Tips for Safe Play areas, Tetanus booster shots, Hearing and Blood Pressure Tests, and Preserving Rural America. Exhibits in the family Living tent included County Health Department, Master Gardener, Center for Independent Living, Family Support Center, Marshfield Clinic, and Wisconsin Women in Agriculture.

The theme for the youth tent was ‘Youth….Shaping Agriculture for the Future….TODAY’. Stage performances by music and drama youth groups. Exhibits in the tent were biotech developments, Milk Mustache, youth safety programs, American Red Cross, and Excel Energy. In the youth arena, demonstrations were dog agility, horse massage and dentistry, stock dog performance, and farm tractor accident/rescue by EMTs. Soil judging and the State FFA Tractor Contests were held during the show. Members of 4-H Club and FFA Chapter provided educational tours for Chippewa County fourth graders.

The beef tent, organized by the Wisconsin Beef Council, added new dimensions with an increased number of exhibitors and ten beef breeds Topics for programs were Wisconsin Identification Consortium, Funded Checkoff, and Midwest Quality Beef Assurance.

Figure 2004-1. Aerial photo of tent city. Green County was approved as the host for the 2007 show. This was the only county applying to host the 2007 show. The exhibit coordinator reported a shift in exhibitors: from national to local and from lots to booths. The board approved up to $5,000 to cost share with Chippewa County for show promotion such as radio and newspaper ads.

The board established a policy for people with disabilities, to allow them to bring their own scooters but they were not permitted to use ATV’s and golf carts. Also scooters were to be made available for rental at $35 per day and $20 per half day. Sheboygan County requested a change in show dates from a Tuesday – Thursday show to a Friday – Sunday show to obtain a larger audience. They also requested $5,000 to assist in the campaign to promote these scheduling changes. The board approved with the funds being matched by the county.

A contract with Freeman decorating was approved for 2004-2006 and an electrical contract was approved for 2004-2006. Charnecke was approved to be the official tent vendor for three years and WFTD would receive a ten percent commission on exhibitor tents. A post show survey of exhibitors was proposed but no action taken.

The board explored a permanent show site at the Arlington Research Station. For the Chippewa (2004), Clark (2005) and Sheboygan (2006) shows tent city will be surrounded by snow fence permitting the collection of admission fee as visitors enter tent city instead of collecting fees as visitors enter the parking lots. This improved the flow of traffic into parking, off the public highways.

Lemke was elected to the board replacing Strachota and Ausman and Klahn were re-elected to the board. Wallander was elected to the executive committee as the exhibitor representative. Klemme and Ausman were re-elected as chair and vice-chair respectively.

2005 – Clark – Growing Progress through Technology

Highlights – Applied Technology Center debut. The Malm family hosted the show, July 11-14, on their dairy farm, Malm’s Rolling Acres, near Loyal. They milk 69 cows and operated 705 acres. They grow 160 acres of corn, 100 acres of soybeans and 190 acres of hay. In addition they raise dairy steers for market. A new house was recently redecorated on the farm and was available for tours. They recently constructed a shop and a pole barn for hay storage, calf hutches and heifers.

Figure 2005-1. Newly constructed home available for tours.

Forages were the focus of the field demonstrations which included harvesting, storing and processing. Harvesting machines were pull-type, tractor mounted and self-propelled mower conditioners, rakes, mergers, tedders, pull type and self-propelled choppers and large square and large round balers. One of the tractors pulling a mower- conditioners demonstrated an auto steer guidance system for improved productivity. Other equipment demonstrated were forge wagons, blowers, bale wrappers, silage baggers, and bale processors. Forage plots demonstrated the impact of various establishment methods – direct seeding, seeding rates and alternative forages. Skid steer loaders were available in the Ride and Drive demonstrations. Other equipment in this event were lawn mowers, lawn tractors, and utility tractors.

Figure 2005-2. Field demonstration – merger.

In the Progress Pavilion, Water nitrate drinking water samples were provided by visitors. Wildlife identification exhibits were available for visitors to obtain information about various wildlife habitats. Soil, Plant, Insect and Weed Doctors will be answer questions based on photos or samples provided by visitors. Other UW-Extension exhibits were AgrAbility, water contaminants, photography methods, dairy profitability, legal and risk management, women in farm management, fresh vegetable marketing, and extension publication availability. State and federal agencies provided information on new government programs and available services.

A new concept at this was the Applied Technology Center to bring former theme tents into one center. Extension specialists and educators developed displays to provide information on bunker management, soil compaction, water quality, milking parlor design, dairy safety and health, homeland security and emergency management. The Natural Resources tent had exhibits addressing conservation and environmental issues by representatives from local, state and federal agencies, conservation groups, and wildlife specialists. Topics addressed during presentation were managed pasture, groundwater flow, managed forests, prairie chickens, and management of ruffed grouse and woodcock.

In the Beef tent, eleven breeds of beef cattle were on display with the cattle owners available to answer questions. Other exhibits were bull testing, beef dairy quality assurance, cattle housing facilities, livestock identification, and breed associations.

The Family Living had twenty-three exhibits which featured art, foods, and healthy family living. One special exhibit was heritage dolls which were costumed with clothing from the nationalities representing heritage of the Clark County settlers. Speakers on the stage discussed healthy relationships, eating better, beekeeping, food preservation, Amish culture, and good money saving methods. The National Farm Medicine Center staff provided cancer, glucose and cholesterol screening and information on personal protective equipment to reduce the risk for farm injuries. Interior designers involved with redecorating the farm home were available to answer questions and provide information during the house tour. The center also debuted a model playground designed for farms to keep children safe.

Twelve learning centers were located in the Youth tent exhibit area. Bio Trek exhibit area had five stations which included DNA wheat germ and building squirt guns. Farm computer simulation game was available to young visitors. Soil judging and tractor operator’s contests were held off site during the show and the results were announced on the youth stage. Exhibits on milk and soybeans which provided information about these farm products going from the farm to the grocery store and other places. Students from area schools created painted art on wood fence depicting farm scenes. Other art related by area student birdhouses, coffee table, rustic stools and drift-wood shelving.

Mill Fleet Farm celebrated fifty years with a large exhibit area including an arena and exhibit tent. The arena had demonstrations of sheep shearing, horse training, equine care, and horse hitches. A Belgium ten horse team/hitch performed in the Fleet Farm Arena. Center staff also provided a farm-safe plays area which they suggested to farm families on their farms to reduce the risk of injuries to their children.

Rusk County had applied to host the 2008 show but withdrew their application due the poor match with regard host county selection criteria. Brown County was approved to host the 2008 show. The board set a policy where primary state and federal partner agencies have exclusive access to free space for educational purposes only. This issue arose from some agencies permitting non agency organization exhibiting in their space. The Cooperative Extension decided to combine all the traditional theme tents into a single tent referred to as Applied Technology Center and it is to be located near the Progress Pavilion.

A pilot promotion program was piloted where exhibitors were given tickets for their people and customers and paid for the tickets they used, returning unused tickets. Lot and booth fees were increased five percent for the 2006 show. For exhibitors renting more than ten lots, their names will be printed on the tent city map in the program. Admission tickets procedures were revised where volunteers receive a ticket for each day they volunteer. Each day the ticket will be a different color. Exhibitors will receive non color coded passes good for any day.

Host county selection criteria were reviewed. ‘Potential to generate 100 -125 local businesses to be exhibitors’ was added to the criteria. The board approved the purchase of four additional trams at a cost of $20,600. This brought the total of WFTD trams to twelve. The board is exploring the use of generators instead of power lines using electricity from the local electric utility which is getting very costly. Ray Dreger was elected to the board to replace Ausman. For the past host farmer representative, Jim Clinton was elected to replace Klahn. LeFever was re-elected to serve another three year term. Klemme and Wallander were elected chair and vice-chair respectively.

2006 – Sheboygan County – Traditional Pride Progress

New at the 2006 show was the use of electrical generators to provide electrical power for tent city. In the past local utilities provided the electrical power which required power poles throughout tent city. The generators were powered by soy biodiesel (five percent soybean oil) and provided power for lighting tent city during night time hours. The biodiesel was also used in the field demonstration equipment.

Figure 2006-1. Generators as a source of electrical power replaced overhead power lines.

Quonset Farms was the host site for the 2006 show near Gibbsville and Oostburg. The farms were operated by the Hesselink family had 700 milk cows. A double eight milking parlor was used to milk the cows on the host farm. A new farm shop was constructed on the farm and was open to tours. Contractors involved in the shop construction were available to answer questions. The heifer barn on the host farm was a remodeled machine two years before the show. Just before the show a new ventilation system was installed. Quonset Farms received a concrete design award for the use of ready mix concrete in the construction of buildings and other structures on the farms.

Additional land for parking and demonstrations were provided by four neighbors: Dave Ten Dolle, Rick Ten Dolle, Gary Jensema and Terry Mentink.

Machines featured in the field demonstrations were mower-conditioners, rakes, mergers, balers and pull type and self-propelled forage harvesters. The chopped alfalfa silage was delivered to bunker silos where forage box unloading and silage packing could be observed. For removing silage from a bunker, silage facers were demonstrated. Both large round and large bales were made and later wrapped. Baggers were not demonstrated due to lack of land available for the baggers. TMR demonstrations were conducted during the show. An active Ride and Drive area had six tractor and skid-steer exhibitors and one large self-propelled sprayer. A lawn and garden equipment Ride and Drive was available where visitors were able to mow grass. A quarter scale tractor exhibit was available where University students designed and fabricated tractors for international competition based on design, safety, maintainability and pulling capability.

Progress Pavilion was home to the extension and state/federal agency as in the past. Plants with abnormal growth were brought to the show for analysis by the doctors weed, insect, plant and soil. Other extension exhibits were AgrAbility, photo doctor, master gardener, wildlife, and water quality, Visitors entered plants in the largest weed competition and had well water samples tested for nitrates. WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection had exhibits on animal health, clean sweep, financial management, farm succession and grazing.

Figure 2006-2. Largest weed contest creates much interest in the Weed Doctors exhibit in the Progress Pavilion.

Applied Technology tent has the newest and latest technology available to Wisconsin farms. A major feature was energy which covered wind, solar, ethanol from corn, biodiesel, and manure digesters. Energy conserving suggestions were low energy lighting, efficient tractor operation and efficient grain drying. Other exhibits were compost bedded barn, urbanization and low cost milking parlor.

Conservation was a major focus of the show with grazing being a feature. The theme of the conservation activities was Conservation Today for Tomorrow. Many elements of grazing information were provided which included high tensile fencing, pasture mixes, pasture plant identification, and grazing economics. Other topics discussed in the conservation tent were woodland management and harvest, invasive species, and windbreaks. Eighteen exhibitors were in the conservations, primarily environmental organizations and government agencies. A soil pit provided an opportunity to study the Kewaunee silt loam prevalent in area of Wisconsin.

With the show located near four large cities, a New Farm Adventure Tent was designed to have information making non-farm families more aware of agriculture and its role in providing food. Farm to Plate exhibit information about milk and other dairy grocery items and their pathway to the store. Other agriculture enterprises featured were mink, crops (corn, soybeans and wheat), aquaculture, Christmas trees, and pork. Other exhibits were wind energy, manure digesters, toy machines and a petting zoo with young farm animals.

Buds, Birds and Bees was the theme of the Family Living tent. Many entertaining, hands on activities and information programs were available. A highlight was the US Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, who was a part of the opening ceremony. Informational programs on the stage were Honeybees- Agriculture’s Angels, The Power of Play, Identity Theft: You are a Target, Martial Arts, Bluebird Restoration Project, and Every Farm Tells a Story. Exhibits in the Family Living tent addressed a number of topic from bee keeping, finances, food, management, health, safety and history. Examples of organizations exhibiting were Comfort Keepers, Historical Research Center, Hospice Advantage, Mental Health Association, Safe Harbor of Sheboygan, Upland Springs Floral, UW-Extension, WI Poison Center, Wisconsin Women in Agriculture and Aurora Health Care.

Seeds of the Future was the youth activities during the show. These activities included exhibits and stage performances in the youth tent and demonstrations in the youth arena. Many Sheboygan County 4-H club members and other local groups provided entertainment on the youth stage. Exhibitors who provided hands on activities were The Above and Beyond Children’s Museum, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Sheboygan County 4-H shooting sports, and UW-Biotechnology Center. Hands on activities were face painting, children’s crafts, wildlife track stamping, wildlife puzzles, micro-pipetting, extracting DNA from wheat, invent a squirt gun and glow worm challenge. Youth arena demonstrations were Stock Dog Sheep Herding, ATV Safety, Drug and Bomb Dogs, 4-H Dog Agility, and Calf Scramble.

Figure 2006-3. A youth milking a synthetic cow.

The beef tent was expanded to include additional animal breeds. Information was provided on livestock identification, beef check-off, new beef products, beef production, and bull testing.

A focus group met to improve the show by considering other farm shows, technologies and events. The group determined there was a need to gather information from visitors and exhibitors regarding their specific benefits they gain from the show. Four committees were recommended: mission/vision statement, data collection, alternative evaluation models and county capacity. Alternative models used by other large farm show was explored. Counties in the top two tiers, most intensive agriculture production were contacted in regard to interest in hosting the show.

As a result of the focus group’s effort, a 2006 survey of volunteers, exhibitors and visitors was conducted gather information about their demographics and show interests through EventCorp, a company specializing event surveys. Ten electronic voting booths were placed in several locations in tent city. Although 1,836 people answered some of the questions, 381 complete responses of 105 screens were analyzed. Some of the findings were:  the average age of the respondents was 39,  26 percent of attendees were farm owners,  54 percent of attendees reside in Sheboygan and adjacent counties,  most general information (80 percent) and driving directions/parking (64 percent) were accessed through web sites,  the most convenient time to attend the show (78 percent) was Monday through Friday and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm,  29 percent of attendees were attending their first show, and  one third of attendees have a high school education or less while 15 percent had college degrees,

For exhibitors, the findings were:

 have been exhibiting at the show for an average of twelve years,  11 percent were first time exhibitors,  40 percent came to the show to educate  26 percent came to the show to generate leads,  20 percent came to the show to create product awareness, and  Overall show satisfaction was raters ‘highly favorable’.

See Appendix A for the executive summary of this survey.

The focus group evaluated the mission and vision statements and recommended minor changes for the state board to consider. The survey of the county extension staff in the top tier agricultural counties indicated some interest in hosting the show in the future. A major factor affecting interest was the career stage of the staff, early career staff were more reluctant to recommend hosting the show in their county.

The General Manager expressed concerned of obtaining county applications. Dodge County was approved as the host for 2009. They were the only applicant. The board approved commercial exhibitors having signage on trams for $500 per tram.

The admission fee was raised from $3.00 to $5.00 for the 2007, 2008 and 2009 shows. The board approved a policy for raffles: only one raffle can be held in the county during the three days of the show with the purpose of supporting the show.

Host counties must receive approval for all sponsorships. Other sponsorship policies approved: 1. All sponsors must be exhibitors, 2. No exclusive rights on show activities or static items including naming rights and 3. Host county raffles, and show structures.

Elmstar electric was approved as the on-site electrical contractor for the 2007-2009 shows. Janet Keller was elected to the board to replace Behr. Klemme and Wallander were re-elected board chair and vice chair respectively. Dreger was elected a member of the executive committee, replacing Behr. Dreger is a farmer representative.

The board pursued an initiative to established criteria and procedure to select a student recipient of the WFTD scholarship. The goal was to select a student after the 2007 show.

2007- Green – Ag Innovations for Future Generations

The 2007 show, September 18-20, was the last fall show which features corn harvested for silage and grain. The Plainview Stock Farm, operated by the Blumer Family served as host farm near Albany. The 3,000 acre farm has a 1,400 head custom heifer raising facility. Corn is the primary crop grown on the farm, some of it is irrigated.

This fall show featured corn harvesting in the field demonstrations involving combine, forage harvesters, forage wagon and grain carts. Related demonstrations at the host farm were TMR’s, bunker filling and packing and silage baggers. Tillage equipment, subsoilers and chisel plows, were demonstrated on the harvested corn fields.

Progress Pavilion

Figure 2007-1. Wildlife management on the farm in the Progress Pavilion.

The Applied Technology Center had exhibits in a tent and an outdoor area adjacent to the tent. The exhibits were low cost parlor, CFL bulb giveaway, high efficiency lighting, heritage corn plots, manure handling, ethanol use and production, emerging crop health issues, soybean management, soil borne pathogen testing, emerging crop insects, nutrient management planning, energy efficient grain drying, variable speed drives, biodiesel, fall field machinery tuneup, risk management, renewable energy, quarter scale pulling tractors, ventilation fans, calf housing, multi-lingual dairy workers, emerald ash borer, pumpkins, biomass crops, mobil oilseed processing, ag. Plastic recycling, confined spaces, pasture for goats and poultry, solar/wind energy, and GPS guidance systems. Receiving the greatest interest in the center were agricultural plastic cycling, low cost parlors and the bulb giveaway (about 1,200 bulbs).

Figure 2007-2. GPS guidance system on garden tractor as a part of the Applied Technology Center.

In the Conservations tent, the two exhibits of most interest was the soil pit and a stream table, both provided by Department of Land Conservation. Other organizations having exhibits were Invasive Species Association, Prairie Enthusiasts, Pheasants Forever, Soil and Water Conservation Society. Wisconsin Woodland Owners, Forest Ag Enterprises, WI League of Conservation Voters, Wisconsin Walnut Council, WI DNR, Wisconsin Association of RC&D, Farm Service Agency, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service. The theme of the 2007 Family Living area was Preserving our Heritage for Future Generations. The stage had both entertaining and information programs. The informational programs were Digging for Your Roots – Genealogy, Stray Voltage, Monroe Safe Kids, Gifts from the Kitchen, Amish Insight, Dog Volunteer Program, and Caregiving. Exhibits in the family living tent were Monroe Clinic, Green County Health, Monroe Area Safe Kids, Green County Emergency, Brodhead Library, WI Milk Marketing Board, Green County Advocates, WI Benefits Specialist, Aging and Disability, Civil War Enactment, Courthaus Quilters, Green County UW Extension, Green County Tourism, and Swiss Heritage.

Figure 2007-3. Heritage exhibit, spinning wheel, in Family Living tent.

Figure 2007-4. Arts and crafts tents with exhibits outside the tent.

For the Youth Area committee planned the FFA Soils Contest I an area near the show site and the Tractor Operator’s Contest which took place on the show site. The results of both contests were reported on the youth stage. Other special activities were benches and 4th Grade tours. FFA chapters and 4-H clubs constructed about 55 benches which used in rest areas at the show and sold during the show. Fourth grade class in Green County were invited to participate in a one or two hour tours of the tent city area. The tours included youth tent, farm family adventures, beef tent, machinery display and heritage area.

Figure 2007-5. Pedal tractor competition in the youth tent.

Exhibits in the youth were similar to past shows, which were UW Biotechnology, Ag in the Classroom, Women in Technology Programs, Farm Safety, Green County 4-H and FFA Chapters, Green County ATV Club, Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association, WI DNR Forestry, and DARE Program. The stage in the youth tent was filled with performance from Green County youth.

Farm Family Adventures program was the second of the show history and had a major sponsor of this program. This program was considered a success even though the show was scheduled during the school year. The estimated number of youth visitors participating in these program activities was 6,000. Outdoor interactive displays were Milk a Cow Station, Sandbox Station, Pedal Tractor Track Station, and Log Cabin Play house. Other displays were Climb on a Real Tractor, Wind Power, Christmas Trees, Farm to Plate, Putting-Turf, Crop Boxes, Farm Animals, Picture Boards, and Animal Media.

The auditor recommended the counties adopt Quickbooks as the software to manage their financial records. The state board also adopted this software which better facilitates the audit process. Pierce County was approved as the host the 2010 show. The WFTD scholarship was approved to be funded by the state board with one $2,000 scholarship being awarded each year. Selection criteria were developed and can be found on the WFTD web site.

As a result of the focus group report, the Vision/Mission Committee developed a vision statement: ‘To be the premier self-sustaining showcase for agriculture and related industries’ and a mission statement: ‘Promoting technologies in agriculture and related industries, leadership development, and volunteerism through joint efforts of committees, businesses and industries, education and agencies’.

The data collection committee developed a survey was developed to obtain input from volunteers, exhibitors and visitors and administered during the 2006 show using kiosks with electronic survey equipment. The board addressed the permanent issue by identifying three research locations: UW Arlington and Marshfield Research Stations and the USDA Dairy and Forage Research Center near Prairie du Sac. After visiting with the administrators for these locations, the board choose to table this issue indefinitely.

The general manager was able to obtain four bids for tents, tables, chairs and staging. Briggs Tent and Party had the lowest bid and was selected for the 2007, 2008 and 2009 shows. Elmstar Electric was approved as the on-site electrician for 2007-2009. Obtaining sponsorship for the trams has proved difficult with only two of the twelve trams having sponsors.

Lemke was elected to another three year term on the board. Klemme and Wallander were re-elected board chair and vice-chair respectively. At a cost of $800 for attorney fees, the general manager was asked to have the new show trademark registered. 2008 – Brown – Agriculture: A Lifestyle

Country Aire Farms near Greenleaf was the site of the 2008 show, July 15-17. The Gerrits family (Bud, Ione and sons Mike and Tom) operated this 3,600 acre farm with more than 1,800 dairy cows. The primary crops raised on the farm are alfalfa and corn. The new dairy facilities were available for farms tours which included two dairy free stall barns, a heifer free stall barn, sand flumes, manure storage and feed storage. Show participants were able to visit the farm’s milking parlor.

Figure 2008-1. Long line visitors for the farm tour.

On Wednesday during the show a severe storm warning was announced and visitors were asked to vacate the area. Heavy rains occurred while visitors were exiting the show. Based on the rainfall and weather forecasts, members of the executive committee, later in the day, decided to close the show for Thursday. Exhibitors started exiting the show on Thursday morning with assistance and restrictions to minimize damage to the soil under tent city.

Hay harvesting and tillage systems were the focus of the field demonstrations. Hay field machines demonstrated were mower conditioners, rakes, mergers, and choppers. Other hay related equipment demonstrated were silage facers and silage baggers. Areas of land were assigned exhibitors who conducted tillage demonstrations. Machines demonstrated chisel plows and zone tillage machines. The Ride and Drive Area had tractors with auto steer, self-propelled sprayers, lawn equipment, compact tractors and utility vehicles.

Figure 2008-2. Large capacity mower conditioner, about 45 feet.

Progress Pavilion had the traditional exhibits of the weed, soil, weed and insect doctors, master gardeners, wildlife, photo doctor, and well water testing. The largest weed contest dre w much interest. State and federal exhibits provided information on numerous government programs. Applied Technology Center had exhibits on energy and other new technologies. New technologies were low energy lighting, auto steer guidance systems, new ventilation systems, and solar and wind energy. Other educational exhibits were low cost milking parlors, raising dairy replacements, forage production, hybrid cottonwoods, recycling ag plastic, increasing silage density, alternative forages, farm safety, free stall deice, livestock identification, and quality assurance for meat and dairy.

A conservation tent featured exhibits provided by agencies and organization addressing environmental issues. A soil pit in the tent provides information about the soil profile in the area and has been a feature in many shows.

Figure 2008-3. Soil pit in the conservation tents.

Figure 2008-4. Exhibit of survey equipment in the conservation tent.

Faith, Family and Friends was the theme for the Family Living activities at the show. This committee was responsible for the tent exhibitors, stage performers, crafts and new home tours. Exhibitors in the tent were American Cancer Society, Brown County Historical Society, Brown County UW-Extension, The Bridge Between Retreat Center, Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers, Wisconsin Women for Agriculture, Brown County Health Department, 2nd U. S. Cavalry Living History, and Wrightstown Historically Society. Informational presentations on the stage were Soil Gardening and Composting, Saving Family Stories, The Many Uses of Aprons, Ten Things Every Wisconsinite Should Know About Cheese, Instruments from the Past, Kaytee Bird Demonstrations, and Stories from the Land. Many musical performers from the Brown County area. Two large tents were used for crafts of original, handmade items. The Gerrits farm home was designed as country house with a view of the Fox Valley.

Youth activities were found in the youth tent and the Farm Family Adventures. The theme was for youth activities was The Many Hats of Agriculture. Farm Family Adventures was an area where families were able to experience hands on agricultural activities. The interactive stations were staffed by FFA members and included floriculture and plant identification, chick incubation, fish aquarium, pet care, fishing experience, insects and electrical safety. In the Youth Tent, careers in agriculture were saluted through hands-on experiences which included Ag in the Classroom program from Farm Bureau. Biotechnology exhibits were featured in the tent – Stem Cell Experience, DNA-wheat germ, Micropipette, The Glow Worm Challenge, and Manduca Caterpillar.

The state FFA Tractor Operator’s contest was conducted on site and results were reported on the youth stage. The state soil judging contest was conducted in an area near the show and the results were announced on the youth stage. The Wrightstown tech education students constructed fifty park benches for the show for visitors to sit while at the show. The benches were sold and available after the show.

The 2008 show was the first show where a $500 drawing was used to collect show visitor data. Responses were obtained from 1896 visitors. Fifty-five percent indicated farm owner/renter as their occupation and 28 percent had dairy cows. The leading ‘must see ‘ exhibits were crop equipment (31 percent), dairy equipment (26 percent), buildings (26 percent), and family living (23 percent).

The board held their first exhibitor feedback meeting in Wisconsin Dells in January. Exhibitors gained a better understanding of the show’s operation and provided many comments to be considered by the board. One suggestion was to have a permanent site. One potential site has been proposed by Clark County at their proposed Agricultural Business, Industry and Education Center. The exhibitors suggested an exhibitor newsletter. The board recommended a newsletter be pursued.

Due to misuse of exhibitor admission tickets, the board will require exhibitors to purchase admission tickets starting with the 2008 show. Lapel pins can be purchased by exhibitors and the pins will serve as admission to the show. The c Marathon County was approved to host the 2011 show. Marathon was the only county to apply. The WFTD logo registration process was discontinued because the business misusing the logo had discontinued its use of the WFTD logo.

Cost of renting mobility scooters was considered to be high. A request was made by counties to subsidize the scooters was rejected. Counties were encouraged to seek sponsors for the scooters. Exhibitors were unsatisfied with the Tuesday night exhibitor dinner because many of the attendees were not exhibitors. Counties were encouraged to use the exhibitor pins for admission to the dinner. Exhibitors request the food menu at the show should involve the beef and pork producers for food vendors. The accountant conducting the state and county office encourage the use of computer software to standardize recordkeeping and reduce the time for conducting the audits. The use of the electronic software will decrease the risk of fraud.

Marathon County was approved to host the 2011 show. Marathon was the only county to apply. The WFTD logo registration process was discontinued because the business misusing the logo had discontinued its use of the WFTD logo. The publicity and promotion activities of the board were discussed and many suggestion for additional promotion were suggested including a poster for machinery dealers, billboard advertising, and community calendars.

The board approved the show hours for the 2009 show be 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Thursday. Lot and booth fees were increased for 2009. The charge for the electrical service to lots was increased $50. An incentive for the Marketing Coordinator was established where the coordinator would receive 10 percent of the fees for the lots over 800 sold and for the booths over 200 sold. The board approved a requirement that the exhibitors participating in the Ride and Drive be required to rent four or more lots. The board changed the limit on the number of terms a board from two terms of three years each to three terms of three years each.

UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls and the WI Technical Colleges proposed an alumni tent be set up at the show. They would staff the tent and provide bite sized food in accordance with WFTD policies. The board proposed the use of this tent for the exhibitor appreciation event. The alumni tent was approved. The board approved a modification of the public address system by increasing the number of speakers from four to eight and increase the height of the pole supporting the speakers. Paid advertisements on the PA systems were approved from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm each day, limited to ten seconds.

The promotion budget was increased from $12,000 to $20,000. The Kick-Off Banquet will be continued with reconsideration for the 2009 show.

Jim Clinton resigned from the board and was replaced by Chuck Crave. Ray Dreger and Terry LeFever were elected to the executive committee. Klemme and Wallander were re-elected chair and vice-chair of the board respectively.

2009- Dodge – Food…Fuel…Future

Four Crave Brothers served as the hosts for the show, July 21-23, near Waterloo. Their farm is the state of the art dairy farm with approximately 1,100 Holstein cows and 900 young stock. They have 1,600 acres of corn, soybeans and alfalfa. They have two manure digesters which produce methane gas which powered an engine to drive an electric generator. The electrical energy was used on the farm and the remainder was sold to the electric utility. The manure solids were dried and composted for potting soil and the liquid remaining was stored and later land applied. The milk from the farm is used in a cheese factory to produce specialty cheeses - mascarpone, mozzarella, and Les Freres. The farm was available for a farm tour of the free stall barns and the feed storage area. A special tour of the manure digesters was available.

Figure 2009-1. Farm tours created much interest for visitors.

A neighbor, Richard Guether, provided land for wheat harvesting and parking. This permitted demonstration of combines harvesting wheat and the baling of wheat straw.

Alfalfa harvesting demonstrated mower-conditioner, rakes, mergers, forage choppers and balers (large rectangular and large round). Other alfalfa related equipment demonstrated were silage facers, silage baggers and bale wrappers. Demonstrated in the wheat fields were combines, rakes and balers for wheat straw. Several tillage machines were demonstrated but land area was limited as result several machines were not demonstrated. In the Ride and Drive area had tractors, utility vehicles, sprayers skid- steer loaders, and tractors with auto steer guidance. Manure application demonstration were available on two special tours each day. Tours of two manure digesters were conducted.

Figure 2009-3. Ride and drive area.

Figure 2009-3. Manure application equipment demonstration.

The Progress Pavilion had the traditional UW-Extension exhibits consisting of the Soil, Plant, Weed, Insect and Photo Doctors, AgrAbility, Public Health, Plumbing, Drinking Water Quality, Wildlife on the Farm and Damage Abatement and Claims, Master Gardener, and Commercial and Fresh Market Vegetables. State and Federal Agencies were FSA, NRCS, WTCS, WDPI, WDATCP, Rural Development and APHIS.

Fueling Our Future Through Youth was theme for the youth programs at the 2009 show. Exhibitors in the youth tent were Dodge/Jefferson Beekeepers Association, Dodge County 4-H Leaders, M & I Bank o Watertown, UW-Biotechnology, Careers in Ag-More Than Plows and Sows, WI-AG in the Classroom, WI Kiters Association, Trek Bike, and DNR Hunter Safety. Notable activities in the youth tent were children’s pedal tractor pull, State FFA Tractor Operator’s and Soil Judging results, DNR Hunter Safety, Beekeeping and Face painting. Numerous youth performers provided musical and dramatic entertainment.

Members of a local FFA chapter constructed benches for use in rest areas in tent city. The benches were sold during the show.

Representatives from Clark County met with the board at the annual meeting with a proposal to have the Clark County Economic Development Center serve as a permanent site for the show. Members of the board later visited the site to evaluate the feasibility of a permanent site. Barron County and Outagamie County applied to host the 2012 show. The board choose Outagamie County to host the 2012 and Barron County to host the 3013 show.

Visitor data were collected through the $500 daily drawing during the 2009 show. Highlights of the results from 2,894 were 48 per cent were farmers/renters, 30 per cent raised dairy and the top ‘must see’ features of the show were crop equipment (31.0 percent), farm tour (28.7 percent), and dairy equipment (28.2 percent). Sixty-two percent of the entries had a home location within fifty miles of the show while eighty-six percent were within 100 miles. See Appendix B for more details and comparison to 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

During the 2009 show, members of the board conducted a face-to-face survey of the exhibitors. The purpose of the survey was to gather information about the registration process, promotion and permanent site. The leading reason for participating in the show was obtaining leads and customer contacts, 78 percent. For the registration process, 75 percent were satisfied with the remaining have minors suggestions for improving. Fifty-four percent were satisfied with the show promotion with the remaining respondents have good suggestions for improving. For the 48 respondents to the permanent site question, 60 percent indicated they preferred moving the show annually around the state.

The 2009 exhibitor feedback meeting reported the lapel pins have been accepted for admission to the show. Other feedback received was a need for increased advertising through media, web site and other internet opportunities, better define and articulate market, consider a newsletter for exhibitors, and encourage attendance through sponsored bus trips for visitors to the show. Based on information other shows, exhibitors agreed with current show hours and dates. More information is needed to make suggestion on a permanent site. Suggestions for improving the show were annual customer/attendee survey, wireless internet, hand sanitizers, decentralized PA system, expand shaded areas, continue Arts and Crafts and encourage pre-event ticket sales.

The electrical service fee for 220 volts was increased from $175 to $200. The 110 volts will remain at $150. The table/chair/tent contract with Briggs was approved. Bob Mathre was approved on the electrician for the 2010 show. The scholarship requirements were changed to include upper classman and students from neighboring counties.

Keller was elected to serve another three year term on the board. Klemme and LeFever were elected chair and vice chair of the board respectively. Members elected to the executive committee were Keller, LeFever, Dreger, Lemke and Thompson.

2010 Pierce – The Power of Agriculture

The Peterson Family hosted the 2010 show, July 20-22, near River Falls on Highway 29 in Pierce County. Roger, Beverly and their five children operate 1,600 acres which include 800 rented acres. Just before the show they had a new 240 cow free stall barn and double-10 herringbone milking parlor for viewing during the show. Peterson used sand for bedding. Tours to the new dairy facility and a sand separator were available during the show.

The 2010 show was another show where heavy rains occurred and the show had to be closed on Thursday. Weather reports on Thursday morning had the rain storm missing the show site. The storm changed and the show was closed after initially being open.

Figure 2010-1. Flooded tent city street at Central Avenue and Sixth Street.

Many of the field demonstrations involved forage where mower-conditioners, rakes, mergers, forage harvesters, balers, silage baggers, bale wrappers. Other field demonstrations included grain combining, straw harvesting, tillage and precision manure application. Ride and Drive had six machinery companies represented.

Forage 2010-2. Forage harvesting field demonstration.

The Progress Pavilion had many of the traditional exhibits such as Weed Doctor, Plant Disease Doctor, Insect Doctor and Soil Doctor. Other extension exhibits were AgrAbility of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Wildlife on the Farm, Master Gardener, Well Water Quality, 4-H in Agriculture, Value Added-Added Profits, The Learning Store, Your Home-Safety and Health, and Fresh Market and Commercial Vegetables. State and federal agencies provided information on wildlife management, growing Wisconsin Agriculture, Rural Development, Public Instruction Plumbing Safety, Plant Protection and Quarantine, web soil survey, and Technical College opportunities.

Applied Technology Center had an emphasis on dairy and energy. The dairy related displays were dairy free stall design, ideal calf pen, antique milker dairy technology, cattle handling, nutrient management, nutrient applicators, managing farm risk, silo density and porosity, livestock identification, dairy farmstead planning, animal health, hay and forage analysis, dairy reproduction, and corn grain evaluation/quality. The energy related exhibits were farm scale biodiesel production, anaerobic digester, variable speed fans, irrigation efficiency, corn drying, energy conservation, energy efficient lighting, farm house insulation/remodeling, municipal energy strategies and alternative energy sources.

Other exhibits outside the Applied Technology tents were electrical safety, recycling agricultural plastics, high tunnel-hoop house, processing grain and energy crops, field crop demonstration and master gardener. Numerous master gardener exhibits were addressed environmental issue such as composting, natural pest control, rain water management and protecting and providing for pollinators.

The goal of the committee planning the conservation tent was to educate and inform the visitors of the ongoing efforts to protect the natural resources of Wisconsin. Exhibitors, private and public organizations, in the tent were St. Croix River Alliance, Pheasants Forever, invasive Species Association of Wisconsin, UDDA-Farm Service Agency, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, UW-River Falls Plant and Soils Clubs, Pierce County Conservation Office, St. Croix County Land and Water Resources Department, and WI Department of Commerce (Septic systems).

New this year was the Rock Doctor. Visitors were encouraged to bring rocks to the show and have the ‘Rock Doctor’ identify the rock and provide additional about the rock, its formation and relation to Wisconsin geology. Another feature of this show was the Diversified AG Tent. The exhibitors in this tents shared information regarding other enterprises famers may consider to diversify their income. Examples included hops, grapes, hazelnut, honey, maple syrup, goats, sheep and ornamental plants. An ‘Organic Center’ had information for obtaining certification for organic agricultural production. A special exhibit on hoop houses provided information about extending the growing season for high valued crops. The family living committee used the show theme, The Power of Agriculture, to develop their theme, The Power of the Family. Organizations exhibiting in the tent were Pierce County Health Department, Plum City Quilter, Center for Integrated Ag Systems, Great River Wine Trail and UW-Extension, and the St. Croix Genealogical Society. Computers were available for use by visitors. Numerous musical performances by local groups took place on the stage.

Figure 2010-3. Opening ceremonies on Tuesday morning in the Family Living Tent.

Many interactive activities were available to young visitors, which included barnyard games: corn play box, milking a cow, roping a cow and toy tractor driving. Topics included internet safety, electricity, ‘Bobber’ the water safety dog, weather, nutrition, injury prevention, and gardening for kids. Groups providing workshops were Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, Bio=Trek, General Mills, Pierce County 4-H, ATV Safety 4-H, and Wisconsin Farm Bureau.

Fleet Farm provided an equine program with tent exhibits and an arena. Featured in their arena were Preifert Percheron Team, Roman Riding, Sheep Dog Demo, Meyer Belgium Hitch and Milk Duds pony hitch.

Courtesy tours were available to visitors unfamiliar to agriculture. Small groups were provided a walking tour of tent city when guides provided information about the exhibits and the products being marketed.

The parking committee always allocates parking for visitors and others with disabilities near tent city and the scooters which are available for rent.

Figure 2010-4. Parking for people with disabilities.

The Pierce County Committee provided some interesting facts and numbers about their show. For example, 21 committees, 1600 volunteers, 120 regular porta potties, 13,000 feet of orange safety fence, 2,000 fence post, 14,000 feet of yellow caution tape, 2 large milk trucks for drinking water, 5 manure spreaders.

The 2010 exhibitor feedback meeting had twenty-six exhibitors in attendance. Major issues raised were allow exhibitors to use utility vehicles during the show, need more space for field demonstrations, consider locating ride and drive adjacent to exhibitor, insure delays and cancellations are effectively publicized, identify focused messages in promoting the show, provide address and GPS coordinates of the show, provide adequate loading and unloading facilities, and seek additional show sponsorships.

During the show UW-River Fall staff conducted a survey of visitors doing in person interviews. Their survey goal was to obtained demographic and economic data. During the first two days of the show 267 visitors were interviewed. None on Thursday because of show closure. Results were one-third of the participants were non- farmers, one-third were attending their first show, fifty-three percent traveled less than fifty miles to the show from their home, and 25 percent of the participants stayed overnight in the area. Based on the spending data, show created 33 jobs, created $1.8 million in expenditures in the area and generated $200,000 in local taxes. The leading activities/exhibits were commercial exhibits (83 percent), Fleet-Farm Equine attractions (56 percent), heritage tractors (50 percent), Progress Pavilion (40 percent), dairy and energy info (40 percent, and Family living (39 percent). See Appendix D for the executive summary of this study.

Visitor data were collected through the $500 daily drawing during the 2010 show. Highlights of the results from 1,013 were 88.8 percent were from Wisconsin, 49.4 per cent were farmers/renters, 30.1 per cent raised dairy and the top ‘must see’ features of the show were dairy equipment (37.5 percent), crop equipment (35.1 percent), family living (32.6 percent), and farm tour (26.7 percent). See Appendix B for more details and comparison to 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Following the 2010 show an annual electronic exhibitor survey was initiated to gather information regarding their satisfaction with the show and suggestions for improving the show. The person signing the exhibitor contract was invited to participate. Response were received from 180 exhibitors of the more than 500 invited. Some of the results were: 37 percent were manufacturers, 70 percent had exhibited previous WFTD, 73 percent were satisfied with the show hours, the exhibitors were between satisfied and neutral with regard to show promotion, 64 percent supported moving the show annually, and they were very satisfied with the show management. For the question on moving the show annually, evaluating responses by exhibitor category, 42 percent of the manufacturers supported moving the show annually. The other exhibitors (retailers, service, distributors and other) has 73 percent supported moving the show. Numerous suggestion were obtained for improving promotion, parking and services. See Appendix C for more details and comparison to 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The General Manager responsibilities are transitional well from Thompson to Schuler. Thompson will continue to serve the board as a consultant. The accountant conducting the audits reported the need for the board develop policies on conflict of interest, whistleblower, and records retention and destruction because of IRS changes. The accountant is assisting with the transition from modified cash basis to an annual accrual basis. The board approved to require the counties to use Quickbooks accounting software to manage their budgets. Sponsorship opportunities were developed and shared with the counties. This was needed to develop additional funds for the county. Since the 2013 county was selected last year, county applications were not considered.

The board eliminated the exhibitor event due to increased county costs over the years, the attendance of non- exhibitors, and concern for the risks of serving alcoholic beverages. Publicity and promotion was discussed with respect to responsibility. The county publicity focuses more on the county and regional media while the state publicity focusses on statewide media and regional media outside the county area.

The board decided keep the lot and booth fees the same in 2011. The tent, table, chairs and staging fees were established for the 2010 – 2002 in contract with Briggs. The electrical service fee remained unchanged, $150 for 110 volts and $200 for 220 volts. Bob Mathre, our electrician agreed to a 2010-12 contract. Lanz and McArdle Insurance Agency agreed to insurance for 2010 – 2012. Due to complaints from exhibitors near the center of tent city, the ads on the public address system were discontinued.

Lemke was elected to another three year term. Klemme and LeFever were elected chair and vice-chair of the board. Shutske was elected co-chair of the board. A committee was established to develop policies on conflict of interest, whistleblower, and records retention and destruction. Another committee was establish sponsorship guidelines for the counties.

2011 Marathon – A Growing Tradition

Seehafer Acres was the site of the 2011 show, July 12- 14, located near Marshfield on highway 97 in Marathon County. Ken and Karen Seehafer are the third generation on this farm. They have a 230 stall free-stall and heifers are housed in a loose housing barn. At the time of the show they operated 850 acres with 100 acres being rented. The Seehafer’s stress cow comfort and use sand bedding for the milk cows. Corn, forage and soybeans are grown on the farm using conservation practices such as strip cropping, minimum tillage, terracing and waterways.

Ten days before this show strong wind storm blew down more than forty tents and eighteen large tents had to be replaced by a tent company other than the contracted company, Briggs Tent and Party. The replacement tents arrived five days before the show. In addition much of the snow fence was blown across highway State Highway 97, impacting highway traffic. Two large tents, 40 by 240 feet was replaced by an 80 by 240 tent, largest tent ever at the show.

Figure 2011-1. Damaged tents after the wind storm.

Figure 2011-2. Two of the 40 by 240 tents was replaced by an 80 by 240 tent-much higher ceilings and cooler.

Figure 2011-3. Aerial view of tent city in 2011.

Field demonstrations were those associated with the traditional summer forage harvesting: mowing, merging, raking, chopping, and baling. Large bales were wrapped and bale handling equipment was demonstrated. Sixteen exhibitors participated in the field demonstrations. Four exhibitors took part in the Ride and Drive which included a tractor with auto steer. A new machine at the show was a thirty foot self-propelled merging which created a windrow from sixty feet of forage with two passes of the machine.

Progress Pavilion had much the same extension exhibits as past shows. The Plant, Soil, Insect and Weed Doctors, wildlife, Master Gardener, AgrAbility of Wisconsin, dairy profitability,

Figure 2011-4. Soil Doctors exhibit in the Progress Pavilion.

Applied Technology Center.

Figure 2011-5. Agricultural plastic recycling in the Applied Technology Center.

Long lines of visitors occurred at the farm tours through the Seehafer dairy barn. An inadequate number of trams to transport the visitors created the waiting lines.

The theme of the Family Living Tent was ‘Bringing Families Back to the Basics’. Numerous displays on consumer protection, aging, vision, social security, hearing conservation, women’s health issues, falls protection, disability, and wildlife heritage. The family living stage was very busy with entertainment and informational programs. Farm Safety – Everybody’s Business, Auctions – The Preferred Method of Selling, Wisconsin Dairy Council, The Soldiers of Poverty, Herb Gardeners and Amish Insight. At the end of each day the Wisconsin Auctioneers held an auction of items provided by the auctioneers and exhibitors.

A Growing Tradition Starts with Youth was the theme of the youth activities at this show. A large area was used for Farm Family Adventurers where youth were able to gain numerous hands on experiences, which were Cab Lab Simulator, Cranberry Experience, Wausau Prospectors, Safe Play Area for Farms, Food Wheel, Animal Pedia, Rock and Mineral Discovery and Castaway on Fish Targets. On the youth stage numerous youth groups displayed their music and drama talents. Educational presentations included Bicycle Safety, Wisconsin Shooting Sports, Body Builder Training, Dog Training and Demonstrations, and Wisconsin Lumberjack Stories.

The conservation tent had exhibits providing information about conservation of the state’s soil, water, plant and animal resources. The USDA Farm Services Agency and the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service provided information on their programs. Topics of other exhibits were Nutrient Management Planning, Household Storm Water Management, Soil Profile Interpretation, Products from your Woods, Tree Farm Program, Invasive Plants, Rock Doctor, Aquatic Invasive Species, Groundwater Testing and Soil Erosion. A soil pit was available to illustrate the soil of the area.

Results of the State FFA Tractor Operators Contest and the State Soils Contest -4-H and FFA were presented on the youth stage. These contest were held on or near the show site.

The visitor drawing and data collection was conducted during the 2011 and received 2997 entries. With the show near the center of the state, the percent of Wisconsin entries rose to 97.7. Other highlights of the data were 38.1 percent were farm owners or renters, only 14.1 percent had dairy cows, and the top ‘must see’ features of the show were family living (23.8 percent), crop equipment (22.4 percent) arts and crafts (20.9 percent), buildings (19.7 percent), and dairy equipment (19.2 percent). See Appendix B for more details and comparison to 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013.

The 2011 electronic exhibitor survey resulted 196 responses. The breakdown by the type of exhibitor responding was manufacturer (37 percent), retail service (19 percent), service (19 percent), distributor (12 percent), and other (13 percent). Seventy-seven percent of the exhibitors previously exhibited at the WFTD show and seventy-eight of the exhibitors wanted to keep the same show hours (9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Thursday). They were satisfied to neutral with regard to publicity and promotion. The admission fee of $5.00 was supported by 91 percent of the exhibitors. They were satisfied with visitor traffic, making sales, creating interest in their product, and informing visitors about their products. The exhibitors were least satisfied with exhibitor lounge/trailer, first aid, and traffic flow in and out of parking while they were most satisfied with show exhibit space, show layout, electrical service, security, load/unload facilities, and exhibitor parking. For the show management, they were more than satisfied. The food quality and service was satisfactory for the exhibitors. See Appendix C for more details and comparison to 2010, 2012 and 2013.

Portage County provided an application to host the 2014 show. The board approved the application which was the only one submitted. Publicity and promotion support by state and county for the 2010 show was $62,000, with the state providing $25,000. This was a much greater increase over previous year. With Pierce County bordering Minnesota a greater effort was made to reach Minnesota residents.

Lot and booth rental rates for the 2012 show will not change. The contracts for electrical contractor and the provider of tent, tables, chairs and staging go through the 2012. The exhibitor fee for electrical service will remain the same. The admission fees for the 2012 will remain at $5.00 and exhibitors will be able to purchase books of ten tickets for $40.00. Exhibitor pins will continue to be available as a pass for all three days. Pin cost is $40 before the show.

Tom Jaster was elected to the board to replace Terry LeFever, who has completed three terms on the board. Keller resigned from the board due to a change of employment. Terry Dallas from Accelerated Genetics was later selected for the board. Crave and Dreger were elected to the board for another three year term. Shutske and Dreger were elected chair and vice-chair respectively of the board. Crave and Williams were elected members of the executive committee replacing LeFever and Keller.

The board discuss the scholarship and increase the award from a single $2,000 scholarship to three scholarships: $2,000, $1,000 and $500. The board approved new policies addressing Conflict of Interest, Whistleblower and Document Retention. These policies were recommended by the accountant to meet new IRS requirements.

The exhibitor feedback meeting held in January, 2011. Some suggestions received were exhibitor benefits should be enhanced during the show, additional audiences should be explored, important messages during the show should reach all people in tent city, increase sponsorship opportunities, improve wireless opportunities in tent city, show programs should be readily available at admissions, and proposed auction at 2011 show was well received. 2012 Outagamie – Innovations in Agriculture

The 2012 show, July 17-19, was hosted by the Sugar Creek Farm and the Heideman Farms, near Sugar Bush. Jeff Handscke and Mike Bruette, friends while involved in FFA joined their separate operations into the Sugar Creek Farm which has 1200 dairy cow and 1700 acres of crop production in alfalfa and corn, all used as feed on the farm. The dairy cows are housed in a free stall barn and milked in a milking parlor. They have a custom heifer raising operation in Taylor County. The milking operation is computerized collecting daily individualized milk production, cow genetics and feed data are collected. A wetland on the farm was planned for restoration during the show.

John A. (father) and John P. (son) Heideman manage a dairy farm with 75 cow in a stanchion barn and 850 acres. Crops produced on the farm are alfalfa, corn, soybeans and wheat. In addition, John P. has a custom combining, baling and excavating.

Figure 2012-1. Large quantities are needed for exhibits.

Figure 2012-2. Aerial view of tent city before the show.

Figure 2012-3. Completed building before the show.

Mower-conditioning, merging, raking, baling, and chopping were the forage field demonstrations during the show. Other demonstrations were tiling and manure application. Twenty exhibitors were involved these demonstrations. Ride and Drive had seven exhibitors involved with equipment such as skid-steer loaders, rock picker, compost turner, sprayer and truck. The truck exhibitor constructed a landscaped driving course with several hills and valleys.

The Progress Pavilion had the traditional exhibits providing a variety of information: Weed Doctors, Insect Doctors, Plant Doctors, Soil Doctors, Wildlife on the Farm, The Learning Store, 4-H Youth and Issues in Agriculture, Drinking Water Quality, AgrAbility of Wisconsin, Master Gardeners, Fresh Market and Commercial Vegetables, A scavenger hunt for visitors to better engagement them in the exhibits and learn more about agriculture.

The Applied Technology Center had a variety of topics discussed by extension staff. The topics were Freestall Doctor, Worker Safety, Livestock Handling Systems, Dairy Business Management and the Ideal Calf Pen. Exhibits in the Conservation Tent were Historical Aerial Photography of Your Farm, Protecting Water Quality, Controlled Burn, Aquatic Invasive Species, Wildlife Damage Assessment, Soil Profile, Traveling Aquarium, Pheasant Habitat and Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Water Issues. USDA Farm Service Agency and USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service staff were available to discuss their programs.

Family Living programs and exhibits addressed health, financial and family issues while others were entertaining. Exhibits included Rural Health, Better Business Bureau, Master Food Preservation, Nutrition Education, Veteran Services, Mosquito Hill Nature Center, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and Fox Valley Technical College. On the Family Living Stage, Grilling with Wisconsin Foods, The Gift of Dyslexia, Herbs 101, Autism 101, Protect Yourself-Avoid Identity Theft and Scams, Preventive Maintenance for Farmers, and Being a Dad-Getting Beyond Father Hunger.

Figure 2012-4. Master gardener exhibit outside the Family Living tent.

Youth area of the show had Family Farm Adventures (outdoor exhibits) and youth tent which had a stage and exhibits. The interactive booths in the Farm Family Adventures were Addie the Cow, Outagamie Recycling, Community Gardening, Going Green, Rawhide Boys Ranch, Small Suri Breeders if Wisconsin, Wilderness Spring Trout Farm, Angler Education, and Fox Valley Spinning Guild. Exhibits in the youth tent were Farmers Union Kenwood Camp, Animal Pedia, Kids Children’s Museum, Farm Bureau, 4-H STEM Programming, 4-H Outreach and UW-Madison Bio-Trek. Performances on the youth stage Brain Safety, Fishing Reel, Animal Rocks, Delicious Desserts, A Morning of PRIDE, and Soil Judging Results. The FFA Tractor Driving contest was conducted during the show. A special hoof trimming demonstration was held during the show.

The Fleet Farm exhibit focused equine with an arena and exhibit area. Numerous exhibitors, who were venders of Fleet Farm and served the equine industries were in the Fleet Farm tent. Due to some wet weather during the 2012 show, the number entries in the visitor drawing was down, 663. With the show more toward the eastern area of the state the percent of the entries with Wisconsin residency was 98.9 percent. Farm Owner or renter was the occupation of 51.8 percent, one of the highest to date. The average age of the entries was 51.4 years. Some other results were 23. 8 percent had dairy, 30.0 percent grew corn, and 26.2 percent grew forages. The top ‘must see’ show features of the show were family living (27.1 percent), crop equipment (25.6 percent), arts and crafts (22.5 percent) dairy equipment (19.9 percent) and buildings (18.9 percent). See Appendix B for more details and comparison to 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013.

For the 2012 electronic survey of exhibitors, 201 responses were received from the than 500 exhibitors invited to participate in the survey. Manufacturers represented 38 percent of the respondents with the remaining respondents nearly equally distributed among retailers, distributors, service and others. Eighty-three percent had exhibited at previous WDTD and 78 percent indicated the show hours should remain the same (9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Thursday). In general the exhibitors were between satisfied and neutral with regard to show promotion. Eighty-nine percent agreed with maintaining the admission fee at $5.00. The most important activities at the show were field demonstrations, dairy facility tours, ride and drive, and youth tent. They were satisfied to very satisfied with regard to visitor traffic, ability to create interest in their products and ability to inform visitors. They dissatisfied with parking, highway access and traffic flow in and out of parking. They were satisfied with the electrical service, show exhibit space, load/unload facilities, and security. Show management and food service and quality were satisfactory. See Appendix C for more details and comparison to 2010, 2011 and 2013.

The board of directors were informed of the major tent loss which occurred ten days before the 2011 show in Marathon County. The state’s insurance provided coverage for added cost from renting replacement tents from other tent providers, which was greater than the cost in our contract with Briggs. Nonetheless Briggs had insurance coverage and did not charge for the tents they were unable to provide. The electrical system was vastly upgraded with new wire and safer electrical circuits.

Dane County applied to host the 2015 show which will be a late summer show. The board approved Dane County which was the only application. Lot and booth rental rate were increased between four and five percent for the 2013 show. The admission fee will remain at $5.00 for the 2013 show in Barron County. New contracts were need for the electrician and tents, tables, chairs and staging.

The exhibitor pin for admission has become more acceptable. Williams was elected to another three year term on the board. Shutske and Dreger were elected chair and vice-chair of the board. The membership of the executive committee was approved-Crave, Dreger, Shutske, and William.

During the exhibitor feedback meeting in January of 2012, exhibitors raised the following issues: excessive utility vehicle traffic in tent city, more services should be provided in the exhibitor lounge such as WI-FI and texting, show information needs to be more available, an excessive number of vehicles were parked in tent city during the show, and insure visitor traffic is more uniform throughout tent city. 2013 Barron – Agribusiness…Cultivating Our Future

The show returns to Barron County after 37 years. Breezy Hill Dairy near Dallas was the host farm for this summer show, July 11-13. Alex and Mary Olson operate a state of the art dairy farm in southern Barron County. In 2007, a fire destroyed flat barn parlor and some heifer facilities. They then built a new milking parlor which allowed them 485 milking herd which are milked twice a day in their double eight herringbone parlor. They raise all their herd replacements on the farm. The cows are housed two barns with four row free stall barns that are naturally ventilated. The Olson’s stress cow comfort and use sand bedding. All their cropland is used to produce haylage and corn silage on their 700 acres with 200 acres being irrigated. The silage is stored on drive over silage piles with an asphalt base.

New this year in field demonstrations was field sprayers with four exhibitors participating. The traditional summer field forage machine demonstrated mowers, mergers, rakes, balers, and choppers. The bales were harvested as silage, wrapped in plastic and then processed for the host farm silage storage. The plastic was removed before processing. Four exhibitors had tractors in the auto guidance systems in the Ride and Drive. Two farm truck companies created driving courses where visitors were provided an opportunity to drive their trucks.

Figure 2013-1. Forage harvesting demonstration.

The theme for the Family Living Tent was Honoring Our Heritage – Cultivating Our Future. The focus of exhibits and stage activities addressed health issues faced by farm families. The exhibits included alcoholics anonymous, mental health, emergency shelters, genealogy, body mass index importance, public health, independent centers, temple massage, consumer information and tourism. The stage programs were Amish Insight, Birch Bark Basket Making, Sunny Music, Myth-Mothers Don’t Work, Czech/Bohemian Immigration to Wisconsin, and Drug and Alcohol Trends. In addition numerous local music groups performed on the stage.

In the Progress Pavilion, extension and federal and state agencies provided the much useful information for show visitors: Weed Doctors, Soil Doctors, Insect Doctors, Plant Doctors, Wildlife on the Farm, The Learning Store, 4-H Youth and Issues in Agriculture, Drinking Water Quality and Nitrate Testing, AgrAbility of Wisconsin and Master Gardeners. New this year was a speakers’ program where extension, university and agency leaders discussed issues related to agriculture.

The Applied Technology provides an opportunity for extension staff to share the latest information on a variety of topics: Worker Safety, Pig Connect, Local Craft Brewing, Apps for Mobile Devices, and Ask the Specialists.

The Conservation Tent draws visitors primarily interested in environmental issues and soil related question. A soil pit was used to illustrate the top and sub soil characteristics in many farm fields found in Barron County. Government agencies represented in this tent were: WI Department of Natural Resources, WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, UW-Extension, WI Society of Land Surveyors, USDA Farm Service Agency, and WI Land and Water Conservation Association. Other exhibits in this tent were

The Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association tent had numerous exhibits and speakers. The topic address by the speakers were Moving Livestock Between Minnesota and Wisconsin and New Beef Cuts.

An arena tent and area provided an opportunity to exchange equine information. The featured speaker was Baxter Black, a poet, former large animal veterinarian and entertainer to the agricultural masses. Several hitch teams performed in the arena.

Managing incoming traffic and rapid parking is always a challenged faced by the county committee. The Barron County committees developed an excellent plan with minimal backups.

Figure 2013-2. Command center is the headquarters for traffic and emergency personnel.

Figure 2013-3. Traffic control and parking must collaborate to minimal traffic backups.

Figure 2013-4. Sunrise over tent city.

The number of visitors entered in the drawing and providing information was 743, 94.8 percent having Wisconsin residence. Farm owners and renters were 39.0 percent of the respondents. Their average age was 52.3 years. Some of the other data was 32.8 percent raised corn, 29.3 percent raised forages, 16.9 percent had dairy and 16.9 raised beef. The top ‘must see’ show features were crop equipment (25.1 percent), family living (23.5 percent), arts and crafts (21.9 percent), buildings (19.2 percent), dairy equipment (17.5 percent), tillage equipment (16.8 percent), and beef equipment (16.5 percent). See Appendix B for more details and comparison to other years.

The number of responses on the 2013 electronic exhibitor survey was 172. The number exhibitors responding were manufacturers, 37 percent. As in past years, the remaining respondents were nearly equally distributed among service, distributors, retailers and other. Seventy-two percent of these exhibitors had exhibited at earlier WFTD shows. Exhibitors were asked to consider opening and closing the show one half hour and one hour earlier. The strongest support was to retain the current hours. (9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Thursday). As for show publicity and promotion, the exhibitors were between satisfied and neutral with newspapers, magazines, brochures, radio, and web site. Exhibitors were satisfied with show exhibit space, electrical service, show layout, exhibitor parking, and security. They were satisfied with the show management and the food service and quality. The question regarding permanent show was added back to the survey after three years. Seventy-four percent indicate a preference of moving the show annually. In many when planning the show, county executive committees suggest extending the show hours later in the day to attract visitors who are part time farmers and non-farmers. The strongest support from exhibitors was for ‘do not extend the hours’. See Appendix C for more details and comparison previous years.

The board was informed that Walworth County was very interested in applying for hosting the 2016 show. Some approvals from the county were needed before the board can approved. Pending approval of county committees and meeting hosting requirement, the board tentatively approved Walworth County for 2016.

The lot and booth fees will remain the same for 2014. The admission fees were increased from $5.00 to $6.00 for the 2014 show. Portage County had request this increase. A one year contract with Briggs was approved having twenty percent increase over the average for the past three years. Only one bid was received. A three contract was approved for the electrician with a five percent increase over the past three years. The board approved an additional $1,000 to the budget for leadership training in the hosting county.

Glewen was approved to serve as the Assistant General Manager through 2013 show effective January 1, 2013 and will be the General Manager following the 2013 show. Schuler will serve as a show consultant from the 2013 show through the 2014 show. Jack Kaltenberg replaced Lemke board, whose term expired. Kaltenberg previously served on the board (1992-1998). Shutske was re-elected chair of the board. Since Dreger was retiring from the board in 2014, he recommended Williams serve as vice-chair. Williams was elected.

The annual exhibitor feedback meeting was held in January 2013 with representatives from fourteen commercial exhibitors, ten state board of directors and four county committee members. Highlights of the meeting were: field demonstrations remain important to the show, more partnering with exhibitors in planning the show was encouraged, services to exhibitors during the show should be improved, and traffic in and around tent city needs to improved.

2014 Portage – The Center of It All

Highlight

First demonstration of unmanned aerial vehicle (drone)

A two inch rain on the day before the show had no impact on attendance The 2014 show (August 12-14) was hosted by the Feltz Family Farm and Blue Top Farms in Portage County. The later date for the summer permitted an opportunity to harvest sweet corn, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. The Feltz family operates a 500 dairy cow farm with 500 acres of corn silage and alfalfa silage. They stress cow comfort to ensure milk quality and high production. The Zakrzewski family operates the Blue Top Farms having 1,200 acres with 1,000 acres irrigated. They focus on producing corn, soybeans, green beans, and sweet corn. Added area for the show for field demonstration was provided by neighboring growers Myron Soik and Sons Inc and Greg Kizewski and Sons, Inc.

Field demonstration included forage and vegetable harvesting and tillage. Machines in the forage demonstrations were mowers, mergers, rakes, and forage chopper and balers. During the show, sweet corn, carrots, potatoes, and cabbage were harvested. Tillage equipment ranged from disks to vertical tillage.

The ride and drive event had a greater variety of equipment available. This was the first time unmanned aerial vehicles were demonstrated for potential use in crop scouting. Other equipment were in the ride and drive were variable rate sprayers, skid steer loaders, GPS guided tractors and sprayers, and pick-up trucks. Farm tours of the Feltz Family farm were highlight of the show.

The Progress Pavilion had many of the traditional exhibits of weed experts, insect experts, soil experts, wildlife on the farm, the learning store, 4-H youth and issues in agiculture, drinking water quality, agrability of Wisconsin, master gardeners, groundwater, and vegetable production. The state government agencies in the pavilion were WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, WI Department of Public Instruction (FFA), WI Technical College System, and WI Department of Natural Resources. Federal agencies in the pavilion were USDA Rural Development, USDA Federal Service Agency, USDA NRCS, and USDA APHIS.

Featured exhibits in the Applied Technology Center were irrigation management systems, implements of husbandry, manure storage designs, cover crops, apps for mobile devices, and barley and hops. The irrigation management exhibit had major application in the central sands area around the show site. With new states rules for farm equipment operating on the highway, this exhibit was very timely. Other exhibits were ideal calving pen, corn silage processing, growing local foods, swine resources, documenting sustainability on the farm and farm financial management. Outdoor UW-Extension educational exhibits adjacent to the center tent were cover crops, field crops, deficit irrigation of vegetable crops, vegetables in suppressed alfalfa, nitrogen and water irrigation levels, and safety demonstration.

Beef tent program included a beef demonstration (cutting, cooking and nutrition}, Orion Samuelson, and auction education. Some of the exhibits were Wisconsin Beef Council, Wisconsin Livestock Identification, Summit Livestock Facilities, and cattle comfort.

Exhibits and display in the Family Living tent include Aging and Disability Resource Center, Office for the Blind and visually impaired, Child Caring, Portage County Child Passenger Safety, Association, Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups,

APPENDIX A Wisconsin Farm Technology Days July 11 – 13, 2006 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY I-Count Survey Service Attendees

Males and females were equally represented at WisconsinFarm Technology Days, Quonset Farms, Sheboygan County WI, July 11 to 13, 2006. Average age of attendees, volunteers and exhibitors was 39 years with 52 percent over the age of 40 years. Attendees have an average annual household income of $65,000. Fourteen percent of the audience live in households with annual incomes in excess of $100,000. Seventy-six percent are employed, working as farm owners (26 percent), manufacturing, retail or service industry employees (26 percent) and professionals/managers (17 percent).

One in three have a high school education or less. Fifteen percent are university graduates. Twenty-nine reside in Sheboygan County, nine percent in Manitowoc County, seven percent in Fond du Lac County, five percent in Washington County and four percent in Ozaukee County. Forty-one percent reside in other parts of Wisconsin. Ninety-six percent were Caucasian.

On average, each person attended the show in a group of 3.5 persons. Forty-eight percent came with their husband/wife. 31 percent with a son(s), daughter(s) and 12 percent attended alone. Each attendee traveled, on average, 63 miles to attend Farm Technology Days. Ninety-six percent traveled by car/private vehicle. Seven percent decided to attend on the day of their visit, while 34 percent made their attendance decision over two months ago. On average, each visited for 5.4 hours. Twenty-nine percent were first-timers, while 27 percent have attended for ten years or more. Twenty-seven percent attended last year’s show.

Seventy-eight feel that 8:00 am t0 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday are convenient times for them to attend the show. Seventy-two percent are interested in seeing what’s new at the show, 43 percent are interested in seeing specific company exhibits, and 41 percent are interested in seeing Family Living exhibits. Forty-three percent indicated, that given a reasonable driving distance, the movement of the show around the state makes them more likely to attend.

Forty-three percent learned of this year’s Farm Technology Days from ag newspapers, 38 percent vis word of mouth and 38 percent from a local newspaper, Sixty-nine have access to the internet and 42 percent of the group visited the WI Farm Technology Days website online. General information (80 percent) and driving directions/parking (64 percent) were most accessed website information.

Of return attendees from last year, 94 percent feel this year’s show is of the same or better quality than 2005. All aspects of Farm Technology Days received ‘excellent’ ratings as did customer service personnel ratings. Heritage tractors were the highest rated feature of the show receiving an ‘excellent’ rating of 4.05 on a 5.00 scale, while the large arena shows were the lowest rated feature, receiving a ‘high average’ rating of 3.75. All rated aspects of parking received exceptional scores. Overall enjoyment ratings of this year’s WI Farm Technology Days were ‘excellent’. Exhibitors:

They have been exhibiting at the show an average of twelve years. Twenty-three percent have been exhibiting at Farm Technology Days for more than twenty years, while 11 percent are first year exhibitors. Eighty-two percent exhibited at last year’s show. Of this group, 84 percent feel this year’s show is equal to or better the 2005 show. Two in five came to educate, 26 percent to generate leads and one in five to create new product awareness, Overall show satisfaction ratings were a ‘highly favorite’ 3.97 on a 5.00 scale.

APPENDIX B Wisconsin Farm Technology Days Drawing Results: 2009-2013

Drawing Entry Forms were available at information booths for the 2009-13 shows. Following are the results from the five shows.

Table 1. Occupation of attendee. Occupation Dodge Pierce Marathon Outagamie Barron Farm Owner/Renter 48.2 49.4 38.1 51.8 39.0 Employee 8.2 9.1 9.0 7.2 8.3 Retired 14.2 9.7 14.0 12.7 13.6 Other 14.7 11.0 20.0 14.0 28.1 No Response 14.7 20.9 18.8 14.3 10.9 Number of entries 2896 1013 2997 663 743

Table 2. Farm Size, acres for attendees (%). Farm Size, Acres Dodge Pierce Marathon Outagamie Barron Less Than 50 7.5 10.3 13.1 14.2 12.8 50-99 5.5 5.9 6.9 7.7 6.3 100-199 12.8 14.0 11.3 12.7 8.2 200-299 9.1 10.7 7.5 9.0 6.1 300-399 5.9 5.5 4.7 5.3 7.1 400-499 3.6 5.5 3.1 4.1 3.4 500-1000 7.9 8.3 5.1 7.5 8.2 More Than 1000 4.4 3.8 2.5 2.7 3.2 No Response 43.3 35.9 45.7 36.9 45.7 Number of entries 2896 1013 2997 663 743

Table 3. Crops raised by atttedees (%).Dodge County data not available Crop Pierce Marathon Outagamie Barron Alfalfa 39.5 24.1 26.2 29.3 Corn 44.7 23.5 30.0 32.8 Soybeans 24.2 12.8 18.4 19.7 Small grain 19.0 8.4 10.6 9.9

Table 4. Livestock raised by attendees(%).Dodge County data not available.

Livestock Pierce Marathon Outagamie Barron Dairy 30.1 14.3 23.8 16.9 Beef 19.6 8.5 14.9 16.9 Sheep 3.5 2.0 3.3 3.0 Swine 4.0 1.5 1.5 3.1 Horses 8.9 6.7 4.4 9.0

Table 5. Attendee ‘Must See’ for you at the show (%).

Dodge Pierce Marathon Outagamie Barron Commercial Exhibitors Dairy Equipment 28.2 37.5 19.2 19.9 17.5 Crop Equipment 31.0 35.1 22.4 25.6 25.1 Beef Equipment 24.5 19.4 15.1 15.8 16.5 Buildings 27.1 24.3 19.7 18.9 19.2 Tillage Equipment 24.0 21.3 13.2 16.6 16.8 Crop Seed Distributors 19.9 9.6 6.9 9.8 7.9 Educational and Others Dairy Farm Tour 28.7 26.7 13.4 15.2 13.3 Youth 14.7 10.3 6.1 6.6 8.5 Field Demos 22.1 22.7 14.0 14.6 12.5 Beef Exhibits * 9.3 8.5 8.6 9.4 Federal Agencies 15.9 2.8 2.2 4.7 2.2 Ride & Drive 19.3 12.7 8.1 8.1 8.9 UW Extension Exhibits 21.9 19.8 11.9 14.2 13.0 Family Living 25.5 32.5 23.8 27.1 23.5 Arts and Crafts 24.6 26.5 20.9 22.5 21.9 Heritage Equipment 20.4 19.3 11.1 14.5 12.6 * Dodge County Combined with Beef Equipment APPENDIX C

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days

Exhibitor Survey – 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Compared

Preliminary Results

A survey was completed September through October, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 to gain information from the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 WFTD exhibitors about the 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2013 shows. The person responsible for the exhibitors’ contract received an electronic message informing them of the survey and provided the electronic address to access the survey questions. Invitations were sent to more than 500 exhibitors each year and described the desire for acquiring the information to improve the show to better benefit the exhibitors and show attendees. The number of responses for 2010 was 199, for 2011 it was 193, for 2012 it was 203 and for 2013 it was 105(incomplete).

Table 1, Type of exhibitor.-percent(number of responses)

Type 2010 2011 2012 2013

Manufacturer 37 (66) 37(69) 38(76) 37(62)

Retail Service 16 (29) 19(35) 15(31) 15(26)

Service 17(31) 19(35) 17(34) 18(30)

Distributor 19(35) 12(23) 16(32) 14(23)

Other 11(19) 13(25) 14(28) 17(28)

Total 180 187 201 169

Table 2. Have you exhibited at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days previously?-percent (number of responses)

2010 2011 2012 2013

No 30(54) 23(43) 17(33) 28(47)

Yes 70(126) 77(143) 83(166) 72(123)

Total 180 186 199 100

Table 3. The daily hours of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days are currently from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Should the current hours of the show remain the same? –percent (number of responses)

Answer 2010 2011 2012 2013

Yes 73(131) 78(144) 78(152) Discontinued

No 27(49) 22(41) 22(43)

Total 180 185 195

Table 4. How satisfied is your company with the publicity and promotion of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days? (Very Satisfied – 1, Satisfied – 2, Neutral – 3, Dissatisfied – 4, Very Dissatisfied- 5) – average response (Number of responses)

Media 2010 2011 2012 2013

General Newspapers 2.53(172) 2.08(175) 2.37(186) 2.19(166)

Agricultural Newspapers 2.31(173) 1.93(174) 2.21(190) 2.10(168)

Magazines 2.59(169) 2.21(167) 2.48(186) 2.24(165)

Brochures 2.48(167) 2.03(171) 2.34(189) 2.17(166)

Radio 2.60(168) 2.15(172) 2.43(189) 2.20(165)

Television 2.83(167) 2.37(169) 2.58(188) 2.39(164)

Internet (Social Media) 2.52(167) 2.20(166) 2.44(185) 2.41(165)

Web site (2013 only) 2.29(166)

Table 5. How do you feel about the current admission fee of $5.00 per adult? –percent (Number of responses)

Response 2010 2011 2012 2013

Keep charging $5.00 per adult 83(148) 91(166) 90(178) Discontinued

Increase the admission fee 2(3) 3(6) 3(5)

Decrease the admission fee 15(26) 6(11) 8(15)

177 183 198 Table 6. How important to you or your company are these activities at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days? (Very Important – 1, Important -2, Neither Important nor Unimportant – Very Unimportant – 4, Not at all Important – 5 ) – average response (Number of responses)

Activity 2010 2011 2012 2013

Youth Tent 2.92(174) 2.55(179) 2.76(194) 2.80(169)

Family Living 3.01(172) 2.64(179) 2.82(196) 2.88(169)

Dairy Facilities Tours 2.55(172) 2.43(180) 2.63(193) 2.64(169)

House Tours 3.32(170) 3.10(176) 3.25(193) N/A

Field Demonstrations 2.52(174) 2.26(179) 2.54(194) 2.60(169)

Ride and Drive 2.74(173) 2.47(178) 2.72(195) 2.75(168)

Heritage Machinery 3.08(173) 2.78(178) 2.95(193) 2.92(169)

Table 7. How satisfied were you with each of the following aspects of the 2010 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days? (Very Satisfied – 1, Satisfied – 2, Neutral – 3, Dissatisfied – 4, Very Dissatisfied – 5) - – average response (Number of responses)

Show Aspect 2010 2011 2012 2013

Visitor Traffic to Your Exhibit 2.71(177) 1.97(183) 2.87(197) 2.30(172)

Making Sales or Potential Sales 2.82(176) 2.20(181) 2.79(198) 2.47(171)

Creating Interest in Your Product 2.63(176) 2.02(182) 2.54(197) 2.24(172) or Service

Informing Visitors about Your 2.38(177) 1.97(182) 2.49(197) 2.16(171) Products or Services

Table 8. How satisfied were you with the following facilities and services? (Very Satisfied – 1, Satisfied – 2, Neutral – 3, Dissatisfied – 4, Very Dissatisfied – 5) – average response (Number of responses)

Facility/Service 2010 2011 2012 2013

Food Service (2011&12, Table10) 2.56(177)

Load/Unload Facilities 2.38(178) 2.13(178) 2.51(194) 2.00(170)

Electrical Service 2.17(175) 2.06(179) 2.27(195) 2.10(170)

Show Layout 2.20(178) 2.03(181) 2.67(199) 2.21(173)

Tents 2.29(178) 2.15(181) 2.54(195) 2.26(168)

Parking 2.72(177) 2.13 (182) 3.75(200) 2.03(172)

Public Parking 2.58(178) 2.24(176) 3.41(193) 2.37(165)

Show Exhibit Space 2.12(177) 1.98(180) 2.16(197) 1.98(173)

Restrooms 2.32(178) 2.23(183) 2.35(199) 2.18(173)

Security 2.17(177) 2.09(179) 2.21(191) 1.98(173)

Exhibitor Lounge/Trailer 2.70(174) 2.45(176) 2.56(194) 2.51(168)

Traffic Flow in and out of Parking 2.85(177) 2.28(181) 4.49(198) 2.28(171)

First Aid 2.35(173) 2.63(191) 2.42(165)

Table 9. How satisfied were you with the show management support? (Very Satisfied – 1, Satisfied – 2, Neutral – 3, Dissatisfied – 4, Very Dissatisfied – 5) – average response (Number of responses)

Management 2010 2011 2012 2013

Cooperation 2.12(178) 1.79(183) 2.18(199) 1.78(168)

Assistance 2.14(177) 1.88(184) 2.29(196) 1.77(167)

Availability 2.15(176) 1.89(183) 2.36(198) 1.90(168)

Table 10. How satisfied were you with the food? (Very Satisfied – 1, Satisfied – 2, Neutral – 3, Dissatisfied – 4, Very Dissatisfied – 5) – average response (Number of responses)

Food 2010 2011 2012 2013

Food Service N/A 2.04(181) 2.36(197) 1.96(171)

Food Quality 2.10(181) 2.29(196) 2.08(171)

Menu 2.16(180) 2.41(198) 2.16(170)

APPENDIX D Pierce County farm Technology Days 2010 Economic Impact Report Executive Summary

Farm Technology Days – Pierce County (FTD-Pierce County) worked with the Survey Research Center at UW-River Falls to conduct intercept surveys to:

1. Gather information with which to estimate the economic impact of the Farm Technology Days event on the economies of Pierce and St. Croix Counties, 2. Discover which offerings at FTD-Pierce County were most heavily attended and which were most useful and interesting. A team of 6 enumerators interviewed 267 people during the first two days of the FTD-Pierce County event – day three was, unfortunately, rained out.

Key findings about the people who attended FTD-Pierce County:

 one-third of the participants identified themselves as non-farmers, suggesting that the show had strong appeal to the large non-farm population in western Wisconsin,  dairy producers were the most common type of farm visitor to FTD-Pierce County,  more than one-third of those interviewed were under 45 years of age indicating that the event appealed to younger as well as older audiences,  nearly two-thirds of the visitors interviewed were men and a similar percentage said they live outside of Pierce or St. Croix Counties,  this was the first FTD for more than one-third of the attendees,  nearly one-quarter expected to be in the Pierce County area overnight – many staying with friends or family,  FTD-Pierce County attracted visitors from somewhat further afield than has been typical of recent FTD events (32% drove more than 100 miles to get to the event and 10% were from out of state).

Attendees at FTD-Pierce County generally found the activities offered at the event to be useful or interesting but they were somewhat selective in terms of the activities in which they participated. Only three activities (commercial exhibitors, the Fleet Farm activities, and the heritage tractor events) drew half or more of the attendees. Activities that were distant from the central tent city area (field demonstrations, host farm tours, etc.), attracted fewer visitors. One hypothesis for this relatively low level of participation is that signage and site information could have been more extensive.

Participants were generally satisfied with the quality of the food offered on-site and felt the $5.00 admission fee was reasonable. For most participants, FTD is the only activity in which they expected to engage while in Pierce and St. Croix Counties. Nearly 10% said they planned to visit friends or family but fewer than 5% said they expected to engage in any other off-site activity (shop, golf, casino, etc). The off-site tourism potential of FTD appears to be quite limited.

The FTD-Pierce County event is estimated to have generated about $800,000 in expenditures during its two-day run. We estimate the total local economic impact of the event (including event preparation, expenditures at the event, as well as induced and indirect impacts – defined below) to be a bit more than $1.8 million, 33 jobs and slightly less than $200,000 in additional taxes. We believe that the economic impact of the event was less dramatic than some local business expected for two primary reasons. First, a significant portion of the economic impact happened in the month or so leading up to the event as crews and exhibitors prepared for the event. Second, during the event, visitors were directed away from downtown River Falls (located only 2 miles or so from the site), so food, fuel and other expenditures by participants were likely pushed into other parts of the two-county region.