Posted: 04.13.2011
Board members of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, Inc. announced today in Madison that Portage county will be hosting the states largest outdoor agricultural show in 2014.
In an interview with Pam Jahnke, board chair, Rick Klemme said that Portage county will offer a real diversity of Wisconsin agriculture from vegetable crops and cranberries to a growing dairy segment. Klemme said the board was also very impressed with the organization and presentation that the Portage county delegation made before the board on Wednesday. Ken Schroeder, Portage County UW-Extension agent brought along the Portage County Executive Director and representatives from the Convention and Visitors Bureau, as well as producers.
The county itself counts more then 5,700 jobs or about 13 percent of their overall workforce that's connected to production agriculture. Portage county features more then 1,000 farms and 280,000 acres of production ranging from sweet corn, potatoes, processed snap beans and peas to the livestock sector. To date, Portage county is home to more then 12,900 cows, 3,700 beef animals and 5,000 hogs - and the county expects those numbers to grow.
Klemme also told Jahnke that the other very attractive feature Portage county offers is accessibility - not only through major roadways, but also lodging. And the soil type that most of Portage county is made up of, largely sand, is another attractive feature. Klemme said, "You know Pam we moved this show to a summer show to try and avoid any rainouts." Klemme continued, "But, we've experienced rainouts the past couple of years. Considering all the irrigation in Portage county - maybe this will be the show that features the least risk of being rained out," he said with a smile.
The Portage county group said they've already committed financial resources to the start of the show - totaling some $60,000. Ken Schroeder told Pam Jahnke that their next step will be to officially draft members to the executive committee and begin the process of locating host farm(s) for the show.
In addition to the announcement of Portage counties involvement in WFTD, Inc. - the group also got updates on current counties progess in preparing to host their individual shows.
Marathon county will host the 2011 show July 12-14 at Seehafer Dairy outside of Marshfield. Outagamie is ready to host the 2012 show outside of Black Creek on two host sites. And Barron county is making plans for their 2013 event.
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