Volunteers needed to kick off state's Farm Technology Days

Farm Technology Days-Outagamie County, is seeking individuals to volunteer for a variety of positions during the show, July 17-19.

Organizers estimate a total of 1500 volunteers will be needed to staff the three-day show, located outside of New London.

"This is a great way to meet professionals in the agri-business sector," said Vic Grimm, co-chair of the event. "Volunteers also get the satisfaction of helping the largest agricultural trade show in the state."

All volunteers receive free admission to the event.

Interested parties may apply online at www.outagamiefarmtech.com and all workers must be age 16 or older.

Organizers say they will be taking volunteers through June 1, 2012.

Opportunities exist in the following areas:

• Admissions - Provide assistance for show attendees with information booths and tents, collect admission fees.

• Ag Education Committee - Coordinates University of Wisconsin Extension and partner agency and exhibits.

• EMS Committee - Provides for Emergency Response Services on site as needed during the event.

• Family Living Committee - Coordinates educational and entertaining programs including speakers, exhibits, demonstrations and displays, host the Family Living Tent.

• Hospitality - Distributes invitations and information to exhibitors, staff information booths.

• Grounds Committee - Provides services (fencing, culverts, unloading ramps, forklifts), coordinate refuse collections, drinking water, and restroom facilities.

• Heritage Tractor Committee - Responsible for the antique machinery displays.

• Parking Committee - Provides volunteer force for directing traffic flow, parking.

• Utilities Committee - Works cooperatively with various utility companies (power, telephone), coordinate wiring according to Tent City layout.

• Sign Committee - Installs and takes down all signage, provides storage space and maintenance of signs as needed.

• Tent City Committee - Assists in layout of streets, avenues, food and educational tents. Works with exhibitors during setup and tear down as well as sign and transportation needs during the show.

• Toy/Scale Model Committee - Responsible for the commemorative scale model production and sales.

• Traffic Committee - Establishes traffic pattern for incoming and outgoing visitors, provide security for the grounds, and work cooperatively with local police, fire and EMS personnel.

• Youth Committee - Works with FFA and 4-H members/leaders for soil judging program, host the Youth Tent, and conduct youth educational programs.

Volunteers can contact the Outagamie County UW Extension offices at 920-832-5119 or e-mail Kevin Jarek at kevin.jarek@ces.uwex.edu if interested in becoming involved.

Those interested can also log on to www.outagamiefarmtech.com and visit the "contacts" page.

More than 15,000 people will visit the show daily, which will be held near New London at Sugar Creek Farm LLC (Mike Bruette and Jeff Handschke, owners) and Heideman Farms (John P. Heideman and John A. Heideman, owners).