Colusa gets ready for Farm Show

The Colusa Farm Show committee isn't going to let any prospect of rain dampen plans for the state's oldest annual agriculture exhibition coming up next month.

Jim Rogers, committee chairman, said thousands of people will be mixing business with pleasure Feb. 2-4, when the Colusa Farm Show unveils for 2010.

The Colusa Farm Show has been held in the same location for 45 years, and according to event organizers, is a model for similar shows in the 11 western states.

"That is why we call it the granddaddy of farm shows," Rogers said Thursday, during some of the final preparations for the event.

First billed as the Sacramento Valley Orchard Machinery Fair in the mid 1960s, the three-day farm show has been a scene of continuing success and enjoyment for both exhibitors and attendees for 45 years.

Carolan Meek, Colusa County Fairgrounds chief executive officer, said as many as 40,000 people from all over the country will come through the gates for the event.

"It's the second largest event in Colusa County, next to the fair," Meek said.

About 250 vendors will fill four exhibit buildings, courtyards and the main parking lot with the latest in farming equipment and technology.

Special forums and seminars, will highlight the event, as well as the annual commodity cook-off .

Meek said when the first show opened in the winter of 1966, it was the fruit producers in the Sacramento Valley who were anxious for the opportunity to see and compare various types of equipment.

The show soon expanded to include companies that manufacture and sell equipment used in planting, spraying and harvesting many kinds of crops. Also present are lending institutions and those who sell insurance, fuel, lubricants, motor vehicles, fencing and irrigation equipment, and much more.

Although many of the same exhibitors return to the show year after year, changes in their equipment and services have changed to reflect the changes in California agriculture.

Meek said about 25 new vendors have joined the show this year, some due to the better than average boon in agriculture the past few years, and others to showcase the latest trends.

"There's a lot of new stuff out there, like organic farming and solar energy," Meek said.

On Thursday, members of the farm show committee and Jr. Fair Board put together commodity bags that will be presented to each of the venders.

"We have a little bit of everything," Rogers said. "Rice, beans, jerky ... We even have hats."

Rogers said the commodity bags, canvas totes provided by Colusa Casino Resort, will be packed full of locally produced products, and are a great way to welcome exhibitors to Colusa County.

Although the extended weather forecast shows Colusa County can expect showers in the early part of February, the show will go on rain or shine.

"We've been rained on before," Rogers said. "That never stopped us."

Rogers said about 20 to 25 volunteers plan and execute the Colusa Farm Show each year.

"The day after the show, we start all over again for the next year," Rogers said.

Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.