University of Wisconsin - Extension

BEAR CREEK -- Each year, some of the state's finest farmland becomes the showcase for one of America's largest farm exhibitions.

This year's Wisconsin Farm Technology Days (WFTD) will be held at the Clinton Farms, southwest of Clintonville on Hwy. 22. The three-day agricultural exhibition is expected to attract up to 100,000 visitors. The show includes more than 600 commercial exhibitors as well as educational programs and demonstrations.

The latest in farm machines equipment and supplies will be on display. Brightly colored tents will be filled with educational exhibits and displays staffed by University of Wisconsin-Madison and UW-Extension faculty and staff and by agency personnel. They will discuss the latest in agricultural science and technology with the visitors, provide educational information relating to Wisconsin agriculture, the environment, farm safety, and issues of importance to rural America.

The show on July 15,16, and 17 comes after three years of planning by representatives of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, Inc., and Waupaca county committees. About two dozen committees and 1,000 volunteers plan and coordinate various aspects of this year's show -- traffic and parking, food, grounds, family living, youth, security, tent city, hospitality, and utilities.

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days (formerly Wisconsin Farm Progress Days) began as an outgrowth of the Wisconsin state plowing matches and the National Plowing Contest held in Eau Claire County in 1953, with the first event hosted by Waupaca County in 1954. Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, Inc., whose board of directors is made up of representatives of Wisconsin agricultural industry, state and federal agencies and University of Wisconsin govern the show.

The first show featured a pageant covering 100 years of tilling the soil -- from the ox team to the tractors. A fleet of tractor-drawn wagons transported visitors to special activities and attractions.

LIFE magazine featured the 1957 show in Juneau County, bringing the national spotlight to the show.

This year Waupaca County becomes the first county to host the show for the fourth time. Shows will be held in Chippewa County in 2004, Clark County in 2005, and Sheboygan County in 2006.

For more information about the show check the web site

http://www.wifarmtechnologydays.com or call (715) 258-6230.