Farm Progress, Husker Harvest Days Canceled

Organizers of the Farm Progress Show have canceled the 65-year-old event for 2020 as well as Husker Harvest Days.

Until Monday, the Farm Progress Show was scheduled to be an in-person event in Boone, Iowa, the first three days of September. Husker Harvest Days was in Grand Island, Neb., Sept. 14 to 16.

The decision to cancel the shows is in response to risks associated with the spread of the coronavirus. Show organizers just days ago reported on their extensive work to reduce the risk of exposure among exhibitors and attendees, but the national situation changed quickly.

“Within days of our commitment to hold both farm shows, more than half the United States saw a significant spike in new cases of COVID-19,” said Matt Jungmann, event manager for the Farm Progress Show. “We have a multi-generational audience that travels from all across the country and around the world to attend the shows, and based on that, we felt it better to reconsider the traditional show for 2020 to prioritize the safety of all.”

Details will continue to take shape about a virtual farm show. It was not clear on Monday whether virtual content would run during Husker Harvest Days.

Jungmann said that while a virtual event will not give growers the true “tire kicking” experience of being at the show, the events team is gearing up to deliver a dynamic digital experience.

Sunbelt Ag Expo is ON for 2020! 

Over the years, the Sunbelt Ag Expo has opened in the wake of 9/11, severe weather in 2011 and 2014, in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in 2018. Now, this  year, despite the pandemic, organizers are planning on the 43rd edition in Moultrie to be an in-person Expo. “Of the utmost importance while planning this year’s show is the safety of our attendees and our exhibitors,” said Expo Executive Director Chip Blalock.  “We will abide by the safety protocols offered by the CDC with regard to Covid-19.  We will continue to utilize ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking to blend safety and commerce. Our exhibitors have expressed a desire for the show to go on as it is truly a business event for them. Our attendees are ready to come to the show and do business with our exhibitors.”

Source: Farm Progress Show – Sunbelt Ag Expo