More than 135,000 people will come from all over Ohio and surrounding states to attend this year’s Farm Science Review. Events will vary from tomahawk throwing to live field demonstrations of soybean and corn harvesting.
The three-day outdoor agricultural trade show is sponsored by Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Science and is located at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center. The event is held tomorrow through Thursday.
“Students can attend the review for free with a Buck ID and it is a great event for undeclared students to come see what the college is all about,” said Craig Fendrick, the manager of the review. The annual event is a good opportunity for farmers to view 4,000 agricultural products from more than 600 exhibitors.
“The showcase allows farmers to stay on top of their field,” said Jan Ramge, a senior in agriculture. Farmers can make educated decisions, after pricing equipment, to find the best choice for their needs.
Concerns farmers have will be discussed with experts from Ohio State and various state and federal agencies.
In the 39 years of the review, it has accommodated the change in farmers’ agricultural needs. New exhibits have been added to facilitate the growing number of small farms. The 22,500-square-foot farming exhibit will specifically address the needs of farmers who have one to 500 acres of land. “The display will allow review exhibitors to target farmers with their information and products,” Fendrick said.
Ohio farmers who are interested in getting involved with a specialty crop, such as pumpkins, blueberries, Christmas trees or tobacco, for supplemental income, will find information at the review on how to increase their profitability and decide which crop they are best suited for.
The review will have information available for visitors to see what life was like in Ohio 150 years ago at the Living With the Land exhibit.
“The exhibit gives you an idea of what the frontier was like in Ohio. The display shows how they trapped food, cooked, made fabrics and healed themselves with different medicines,” said Suzanne Steel, director of college communications.
Local gardeners can visit the James D. Utzinger memorial garden for tips on growing a variety of fruits, vegetables and plants suitable for Ohio gardens.
