Farmfest returns to southwestern Minnesota this week

Farmers look and get to try gear out at Farmfest.
Farmers get to try new equipment and technology each year at Farmfest near Redwood Falls, Minn.
Maria Alejandra Cardona | MPR News 2017

Thousands of farmers and others in the agriculture industry will gather for Farmfest this week in southwestern Minnesota.

The annual trade show takes place from Tuesday through Thursday on a 50-acre site at the Gilfillan Estate southeast of Redwood Falls.

More than 500 exhibitors will have farm equipment and other products on display.

"We also have demonstrations. So we have actual crops planted in the ground, so you can come out and see the corn, soybeans — and this year, new to the show, we have hemp and hops and cover crops as well," said Niki Jones, marketing manager for IDEAg that produces Farmfest.

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The event also includes several forums. A highlight this year will be a federal House Agriculture Committee listening session on Wednesday morning, hosted by U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson and including U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.

A full schedule events can be found here.

"We want farmers to be able to come together, create that community, and learn things they can't learn sitting in their office at home or working out in the field," Jones said.

Farmfest tickets are $10 for adults; kids 17 and younger are free.