New Chatham farm show highlights regional producers

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

by MATT MCINTOSH

A farm show focusing on southwestern Ontario farmers is coming to Chatham early next year.

The Chatham-Kent Farm show is the first of its kind for the region, and it will run from January 29 to 30 at the John D. Bradley Convention Center.

Stuart Galloway, show producer for Bell River's 20/20 productions, says Chatham is the ideal place for a regionally focused farm show.

"Chatham-Kent is a major agricultural hub, and has a central location where we can draw visitors from across the region," he says.

Galloway also says the show is focusing specifically on farmers from Essex, Lambton, Middlesex and Elgin Counties as well as Chatham-Kent, and he expects about 4,000 to 6,000 people to frequent the event.

According to 20/20 Productions' website, the show will have "over 100 exhibiting companies" promoting new techniques and technologies as well as "ongoing seminars from industry leaders."

The seminars, says Galloway, will be free with the price of admission, but a full schedule has not yet been determined.

"We are working with the University of Guelph's Ridgetown campus, and other groups, to put together our seminar speakers," says Galloway. "However, there will only be three seminars a day; this event is more of a trade show."

The venue itself is the result of a $9 million investment by the municipality of Chatham-Kent and includes a 25,310 square ft. expo room where exhibitors can set up shop.

The show will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with admission set at $5 per person. BF