What's new for 2018 Farm Technology Days

MARSHFIELD - There will be something for everyone at next year's Farm Technology Days, including six different grilled cheese options from local cheesemakers. 

Farm Technology Days is back in Wood County on July 10-12, 2018, and Ken Heiman of Nasonville Dairy said it is geared toward family-sized farmers and attracting new visitors. Farm Tech Days is co-hosted by the Heiman family and the Sternweis family and Farm Tech Days will take place by D & B Sternweis Farms and Weber’s Farm Store.  

Heiman also said that there will be an assortment of local cranberry farmers, including Ocean Spray from Wisconsin Rapids, with demonstrations on growing cranberries and cranberry treats as well. 

"From local products to bedding, cranberry harvesting people can learn a lot about cranberry farming. There will be a lot of cranberries and plants for people to take home," Heiman said. "This is an event for family-sized farmers but also trying to expand and get non-farmers to this event as well."

Heiman said that a large reason for his family and the Sternweis family bringing Farm Tech Days to Wood County was bringing money into the local communities and the impact it could have locally. 

Farm Technology Days is the largest agricultural show in Wisconsin and one of the largest in the nation, according to the Farm Technology Days website, and the 2015 event in Stevens Point drew an estimated 48,500 people. The three-day outdoor event showcases the latest improvements in production agriculture, including practical applications of recent research findings and technological developments. Each year, it is held in a different Wisconsin county and on a different host family farm.

"It is so important to the county. Farmers are the backbone of feeding America," Heiman said. "This is going to bring thousands of people to our community and for a town the size of Marshfield that's irreplaceable. This isn't just about farmers, but helping the community and local businesses, too."

Wood County Farm Technology Days Seeking Food Service Volunteers

Organizers of the 2018 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days in Wood County are now looking for nonprofit organizations that have interest in staffing the event’s various food tents. Groups are being invited to submit an application to help with meal operations, such as cashiering, food preparation and serving.

Hundreds of individual volunteers will be needed throughout the three-day exposition to run six large food tents, as well as three ice cream booths and six beverage areas.

The show is expected to bring tens of thousands of visitors to Wood County from across the Midwest. Each of the volunteer groups will share a portion of the profits made from the food tents.

For more information or to submit an application, go to wifarmtechnologydays.com or email woodcofarmtechfood@gmail.com.