Trips to the annual Ag Expo are a tradition for 6-year-old Aubree Knuckles and her father, Thomas.
As the pair learned about peanut butter pine cone bird feeders and plants Saturday from master gardeners, they were among more than 6,000 area residents expected at the Black River Coliseum.
With activities for children and parents, the two-day event is a hit with families, as well as those who are interested in agriculture, explained Sarah Denkler, county program director for the University of Missouri Extension office in Butler County.
Toy tractor pulls and baby pot bellied pigs were a few of the other highlights for children, while new companies like MirTech Harvest Center and longtime participants like Circle G Trailers talked with potential customers.
"We just enjoy coming here every year," said Pam Wells, of the Ellington, Mo., based Circle G Trailers, which also participated in Butler County's first Ag Expo.
The company wants to support children who are interested in agriculture, and sees the event as a good way to connect with potential customers, even after 21 years in operation, she said.
Ag Expo also offered a way for new company MirTech of Sikeston, Mo., to get its name out, said Nathan Dunman, a sales representative.
"We're just getting into the Poplar Bluff area," explained Dunman, of the 1-year-old company, which sells CLAAS, Manitou and other equipment.
For Poplar Bluff Master Gardener Rebecca Tindall, the second day of Ag Expo was all about educating children like Aubree Knuckles.
"It's just to help kids learn about gardening and our environment," said Tindall. "You don't learn things if you're not taught."
In addition to pine cone bird feeders, the master gardeners also taught children how to start a plant from clipping and other projects.
During Ag Expo, participants could also learn about private applicator training and licenses, healthy eating, deer management, pie making and other topics.