Views from the Cab

By David Tollefson, Columnist

On an absolutely gorgeous day in south Central Minnesota southeast of Redwood Falls, I attended the middle day of the 3-day show.  The first day, Tuesday August 2, was quite different, having been in the mid-90s and high dew points.

With bright blue skies and a cool northwest wind, I was there after close to a two-hour drive through beautiful farm country, before 8 a.m.  The folks in charge of Farmfest let those who want to, sign up online, print the admitting ticket, along with a couple dollar discount.  Those who sign up that way go to a different gate, get a wrist band, then wait in line for the famous free pancake breakfast put on by the Minnesota Farm Bureau.  

With that introduction, how about a little history of the Farmfest shows?

From the Blue Earth County Historical Society written by Hilda Parks, comes the history of the First Farmfest:

The little community of Vernon Center gained national and even international attention during the week of September 11-17, 1972.  Shady Brook Farms just north of the town, owned by Bert Hansen, became the site of the 19th World Ploughing Contest.  The yearly gathering blossomed into a 1400-acre agricultural extravaganza with over 1000 acres of demonstration plots, 65 acres of exhibits, political speakers, entertainment, and the state and national as well as the world ploughing contest, called Farmfest USA.  All this for only $2.00 admission.

Falling on an election year, local candidates Gov. Wendell Anderson and Congressman Ancher Nelson made appearances on opening day, accompanying Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern who delivered his major farm message at the event.  The current Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz spoke for the Republican position a few days later.

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans put on shows Monday and Tuesday.  Charlie Pride was the featured entertainment for Wednesday.  Frankie Fontaine, the Bugs Bunny Show and the US Air Force Band and the Thunderbirds entertained the remainder of the week.  All led up to the appearance of Bob Hope on Saturday, drawing 80-90,000 people to the grounds.   

Both domestic and foreign farm equipment were on display, many demonstrated in the field.  Some of the newer items shown were a new building system from Lester’s, Steiger’s new 4-wheel drive tractors, a 10-ton self-propelled silage buggy from HCI industries, and a universal header attachment for combines which fit all row crops from Melroe.

Plowing was the focus of competition.  Tractor and horse pulls attracted large crowds, all surrounding the World Ploughing Contest.  Twenty nations were represented, with 38 contestants.

All plowing was done with two-bottom plows.  Ford was the most seen tractor.

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After the above history, I could find little information of succeeding Farmfests, finding an article from July of 1989, in the Rochester Post- Bulletin by Marlin Buss, Farmfest owner and general manager.  In that article, it indicates that “The show, which attracts 60,000 visitors annually, has been held two miles northeast of Lake Crystal on State Highway 60 since 1982.”  Buss had talked about moving the show a couple years before. He said “the move is necessary because an improved agricultural economy is putting new demands on the show.”

As indicated above, Farmfest was started in 1972 in Vernon Center by Agricultural Promotions Inc.  The 1976 Farmfest was held on another site in Lake Crystal and was billed as the biggest convention ever.  It featured 900 exhibitors and 1000 acres of demonstrations.  The event had a $2 million operating budget, including a $100,000 loan from the Minnesota legislature.

Hopes for a profitable Farmfest ’76 were drowned by heavy rains that turned the show location into muck on the first day.  The weather didn’t improve for the rest of the show.  Instead of 1 million people Farmfest ’76 attracted only 289,141.

The situation forced Agricultural Promotions Inc. into bankruptcy, with debts of $350,000.  Buss purchased the “Farmfest” name in 1982 from the previous owners and began with a smaller version of the earlier shows.

I could not seem to find any information on how long Farmfest has been at the present location.

In the handout given to everyone who attended this year’s show, it lists IDEAg Group LLC staff of some 14 people, “delivers an optimal experience to attendees, exhibitors and industry through leaders in the agricultural market.  Through its established farm show events and Feed and Grain magazine, the IDEAg Group is dedicated to bringing interactive content-rich, high-value events to the marketplace, connecting top-level producers to the providers across the country.  The IDEAg group offers interactive events, publications, and media products that are produced “For Agriculture.  By Agriculture.”

Probably the most popular event at the Wednesday, August 3 Farmfest was the Minnesota Governor Candidate forum expertly guided by Pope County’s own Kent Thiesse, and moderated by Blois Olson of WCCO radio, who guided the questions from a panel of agricultural representatives.  Present Governor Tim Walz and his opponent Dr. Scott Jensen were there without their Lieutenant Governor candidates Peggy Flanagan and Matt Birk.   As many of you saw on Twin Cities media, it was a lively debate, with support from many in the audience for their particular candidate.  

For Pope County, the last day of the event will have competition for Woman Farmer of the Year, with five different candidates from around the state, as well as Farm Family of the Year, involving the Pooch family of Lowry.  By the time this is published, those winners will be known.  Congratulations to the winners, as well as the contestants from each of the Minnesota counties involved. 

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Please contact David Tollefson with thoughts or comments on this or future columns at: adtollef@hcinet.net