A one stop experience for farmers far and wide at Ag-Pro Expo

MILLERSBURG — Farmers and folks from the agricultural industry made their way to Harvest Ridge on Thursday for a one-stop experience, including seeing new equipment, discussing financial needs, information gathering and certification opportunities.

Dalton grain farmer Loyal Steiner and his brothers, Ed and Glen, took the opportunity to dream a little, as they looked over some of the new equipment on display at the Ag-Pro Expo.

"We're just having fun, dreaming about some new products," Steiner said.

There also was good fellowship, food and shelter from the bitter cold, according to Harvest Ridge Manager Pat Martin.

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"We are glad to have this event here. We've been trying to bring this to Holmes County for some time, but COVID really messed things up," she said. "We're excited to have something with all this bad weather we've had."

Convenient, comfortable and well represented

Bryan Frye, an Orrville farmer, said he didn't mind coming to Millersburg. He came to the event with his cousins, who were in a class.

"It's nice here. There is a lot of nice things to see," Frye said. "It's nice having such a great facility to bring all this together."

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Chuck Reynolds, a retired USDA and Soil and Water Conservation District representative, enjoyed visiting with old friends and seeing what was going on in the agriculture community.

"I'm really impressed how they have the facility set up, and it seems like it's going pretty well. There is a nice crowd here," Reynolds said. "Living in Holmes County, it is very handy to come out here to the fairgrounds. For those who need certification, they can get that here, and also enjoy a breakfast (and lunch), check out what Ag-Pro and some of the other vendors have to offer and visit with some old friends."

Nice turnout

Jenna Watson, Ag-Pro's regional marketing manager, said the inaugural event in Holmes County went quite well.

"The expo has expanded to a one stop shop, where farmers can get certified, see our equipment and what's new, talk to their banker, their seed provider and other vendors, and help make informed decisions for the coming years," she said.

Ag-Pro Ohio Region President Greg Simmons was impressed with what he saw, as far as the crowd size and the facilities.

"We're excited to be in Holmes County. The facilities here are top notch and the turnout has been great," Simmons said. "There's plenty of parking here, and plenty for people to see."

State Rep. Darrel Kick, a farmer from Loudonville, said the Ag-Pro Expo was a convenient way for him to see some of his constituents.

"I think this is a tremendous event for this area," Kick said. "The facilities here just lend to things like this happening where you can brings multiple counties together and help out farmers with all their needs. This is a great event and we're thankful for the sponsors who put it together.

"It's good to see so many people," Kick added. "I don't get to see them so often because I'm in Columbus more than at these types of events, but it is great to shake hands and be back with my farmer friends. To have it centralized like this and provide those needed hours of the classes, with the breakfast and the fellowship, it's nice to be in a building and see everyone and take care of some business at the same time."

Ag-Pro joined forces with Ashland, Holmes, Medina and Wayne Farm Bureaus, along with OSU Extension-Holmes and Wayne counties to bring the expo to Holmes County this year.

A similar event had been held previously at OSU-ATI in Wooster over the past 30 years.

Kevin Lynch can be reached at klynch@the-daily-record.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Ag-Pro Expo was dream spot for farmers looking for equipment