Ag-citment expected

Roosevelt County Fairgrounds has been abuzz with activity as event organizers and volunteers prepare to welcome vendors and spectators to the 15th annual New Mexico Ag Expo that begins Tuesday.

The New Mexico Ag Expo encompasses a variety of products and services that cater to the agriculture industry. Over the years, the Ag Expo has grown into the state’s premier agriculture show, said events manager Sharon King.

King said 128 booths have been rented out for the show. Thirteen states will be represented, including Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas and Iowa. Traveling farthest to attend the show will be Tasker Products from Danbury, Conn. Local vendors will also be represented, King said.

“Agriculture is the number-one economic base of our region, and it’s critical to stay up on advances,” King said.

New to this year’s Expo will be a Spanish dairy seminar held Tuesday for dairy employees whose first language is Spanish. The seminar will provide dairy information and training. A similar session will be held Wednesday for dairy owners and managers, said King.

Ag Expo Chairman Chester Harth has been hard at work getting the event set up.

“It looks like a super show this year,” Harth said.

A local farmer, he feels the Ag Expo is beneficial to the agriculture community. The Ag Expo has become a chance for people involved in the farming, dairy and ranching industry to gather and find information on new technology and important issues, he said.

“The seminars help us to stay current on the things we need to keep up with,” Harth said.

A peanut production workshop and herbicide and chemical update will be offered during the two-day event, according to a press release issued by King.

Representatives from the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum will be on site to teach the art of chuckwagon cooking. Spectators will have the opportunity to see how biscuits are baked in a Dutch oven, said King.

At a glance

Tuesday

8:30- New Mexico/Texas Peanut Production Workshop

Kakahuate Room

9:00- Expo and Exhibits open

10:00- Horse Demonstration

11:00- Planning for the Next Drought- Yucca Room

Spanish Dairy Seminar Series- Dairy Tent

Antique Tractor Parade- Midway

11:00 - 2:00- Chuck Wagon Lunch- Sheep Barn

12:00 - Dairy Seminar Series- Dairy Tent

1:30- Antique Tractor Games- North of Dairy Tent

Herbicide and Chemical Update- Yucca Room

2:00- Horse Demonstration- Show Arena

2:30- Cooking School-Fix It and Forget It Meals- Kakahuate Room

5:00 - Expo closes for the day

Wednesday

9:00- Expo opens for the day

10:00- Working Stock Dog Demonstration- Show Arena

Antique Tractor Games- North end of Dairy Tent

English Dairy Seminar Series- Dairy Tent

11:00- Antique Tractor Parade- Midway

Dairy Seminar Series

12:00- DFA Luncheon

1:00- Country Fashion Music Festival- Women’s Building

1:30- Working Stock Dog Demonstration- Show Arena

2:30- antique Tractor Parade- Midway

5:00- Expo closes

Yucca and Kakahuate Rooms are located inside the Jake Lopez Building