Ag Week in Spokane Debuts
Beginning Tuesday, February 7th, Spokane Ag Expo will celebrate its’ 35th year as the largest agricultural equipment show in the Inland Northwest and the Pacific Northwest Farm Forum opens its 57th year of ag-related speakers and seminars in the Spokane Doubletree Hotel. But that’s not all the activity that is planned in Spokane this first full week in February 2012.
Show organizers have joined forces with Visit Spokane (formally the Spokane Regional Convention & Visitor’s Bureau) to designate the week of February 6 – 12, 2012 as ‘Ag Week in Spokane’. Myrna O’Leary, Spokane Ag Expo’s show manager, stated “We are excited with the added events occurring during our first-annual Ag Week in Spokane as we continue to highlight the importance of agriculture in this region.” There are several activities involved so that farmers and ranchers attending Spokane Ag Expo will be able to participate in more than just one or two planned events during their stay in Spokane.
The Direct Seed Association will be conducting their annual conference beginning Wednesday evening, February 8th with a reception and dinner, followed by a breakfast Thursday morning. After the breakfast, attendees will be visiting the exhibits at Ag Expo and will re-convene for a series of seminars at 2pm. Dave White, the Chief of the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, (the agency charged with implementing the Farm Bill policies) has been invited and will likely be the keynote speaker for the Wednesday evening dinner. “The PNDSA is delighted to be a part of Ag Week in Spokane and to be associated with Ag Expo.” Rick Jones, President of the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association said in a recent interview. “We have an excellent opportunity to highlight the great conservation being put on the ground in Eastern Washington by these progressive farmers.”
The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 West 1st Avenue, just west of the city in Browne’s Addition, will host the nationally-renowned exhibit “DIG IT! – The Secrets of Soil.” The exhibit includes lively interactive components and videos that teach a natural science curriculum centered on soil, developed by the National Association of Conservation Districts. The exhibit is designed to inspire and educate people of all ages. Ag Expo is partnering with the Museum to promote Dig It! and welcomes them as part of Ag Week as they kick-off their seven-month exhibit.
Spokane Ag Expo attendees will be able to donate canned food and donations to the annual ‘Dump for Hunger’ food drive sponsored by Western Equipment. This will be the third year of this fighting hunger drive at the Convention Center during the show. All food and money collected is donated to Second Harvest and distributed throughout the Inland Northwest.
The first full week in February, 2012, looks to be the beginning of an exciting and activity-packed week for agriculture in Spokane and the Inland Northwest. For further details on any of the events, visit the Spokane Ag Expo website at