Farm Tech Days off to great start
If Monday evening was any indication, Clark County is in for a terrific year as the next host-to-be of Wisconsin’s Farm Technology Days. The excitement and energy present at the “Taste of Clark County” event at one of the 2022 show’s venues was palpable, and more than $17,000 was raised locally to support the cause. Such drive will be needed as the next 12 months until July 12-14, 2022 will pass quickly for the core group of volunteer organizers.
If you don’t already know, Farm Technology Days will return to the Loyal area next year, at Roehl Acres and Rustic Occasions just southwest of the city. The statewide show was also here in 2005, when hosted by Malms’ Rolling Acres northwest of town.
Hosting Farm Technology Days is a massive undertaking not only for the few dozen people who do the bulk of the planning work, but for the county’s UW-Extension staff, and hundreds of volunteers who will be needed to make things go next July. The construction of a Tent City is a major undertaking in itself, and there is much work to be done in working out traffic flow plans, parking, utilities, food, and more. It’s a wonder that anyone would want to take it on, but county Chairman Chuck Rueth and his gang are hardly the kind to say “Naw, that’s too much work. Let somebody else do it.” We’re fortunate to have such folks in our communities.
Aside from the obvious short-term influx of money to the local economy from visitors during the 3-day run of the show, there are other benefits to hosting Farm Technology Days. Another of them is financial, as any profit raised is pumped back into the community. After all the revenues and expenses are tallied, the Executive Committee will decide where that money should go. And, by the way, the only cost to the county -- other than indirect expenses for law enforcement, road needs, etc. -- is a $20,000 seed money commitment. Thats’ about 60 cents per county resident.
One other thought we’ll mention here is the possibility that the Farm Technology Days organization will one day decide to choose a permanent site for its summer showcase. It currently moves around the state, and that has its advantages, but should the time ever come when a permanent site is needed, we would surely expect it would be in a centrally located county (check), one served by a 4-lane state highway (check), with top-ranking dairy and forage production records (check), and a proven track record of strong local support and planning expertise (check).
By the way, there’s still plenty of time to do your part to support the effort. The fund drive to cover the county’s share of a $1.6 million overall budget is in full swing, and hordes of people will be needed next year to do all kinds of jobs. Again, if Monday evening’s buzz was any indication, the people will come out to do it.
Members of the TRG editorial Board include Publisher Kris O’Leary, Editor Dean Lesar, and Carol O’Leary.
