Jan. 18 - 19 will mark another installment of the Heartland Agriculture and Natural Resources Expo (Ag Expo), which will be held at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Ag Expo has continued to grow and add new events each year to bring something fresh to the public. This event is in support of and sponsored by the Butler County University of Missouri Extension Council and the Ag Club of Three Rivers College.
There will be more than 100 vendors on display relating to all aspects of agriculture and natural resources in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. Ag Expo 2019 will have an admission fee of $1 for adults and will be free for youth. It is open to the public from 1-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19.
Exhibitors will display their products and services and answer your questions about horticulture and gardening, livestock and crop production, forestry and forestry products, machinery, equipment, autos and trucks, farm supplies and more.
Educational seminars will again be part of the expo. Sarah Denkler, regional director with the University of Missouri Extension, will hold on Friday, Jan. 18 a Private Applicator Training from 2 - 5 p.m.. This training is for those who need to update their private applicator license, which expires every five years, or obtain a new license.
Following this training there will be an additional educational seminar offered on Friday, Jan. 18 for adults. Regional Extension Specialists will host a selling local foods training on Friday, Jan. 18 from 5 -7 p.m. This training will teach the basics of business planning, importance of food safety, produce care and handling, and customer service skills. This year will have new demonstrations in the center of the coliseum. On Friday, Missouri Department of Conservation, will host a feral hog trapping demo from 2 -4 p.m. After, Home Depot will have an area for youth to make their own birdhouse from 5 -7 p.m. Then youth can learn roping with the Three Rivers Rodeo team from 7-8 p.m.
There will be toy tractor pedal pull contests for boys and girls on Friday, Jan. 18. The four and five years old (boy and girl divisions) will pedal at 6:30 p.m., the six and seven years old will pedal at 7 p.m., and the eight and nine years old will pedal at 7:30 p.m. Each contestant will receive a participation ribbon and the top three peddlers in each division will receive a trophy.
On Saturday, Jan. 19, the Master Gardeners will provide Garden Adventures for Kids. This will be a hands-on event held in the center of the arena floor beginning at 10 a.m. until noon. Several easy, take home activities will be provided for children. Bring your children to the Ag Expo once again to experience garden adventures for kids.
The Youth in Agriculture Activities sponsored by 4-H is also scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 19. This event will run from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Ag Expo. Youth will complete activities such as making corn necklaces, investigating cattle, and looking into farm machines. Youth will learn where their food comes from and how to grow food at home. Parents are welcome to come with their kids and the event is free of charge. Musical entertainment will be provided throughout the event. On Friday, Jan. 18 attend and see Poplar Bluff Jazz Band, Twin Rivers Line Dancers, the 4-H/FFA Public Speaking Contest and the Cow Milking Contest. On Saturday, Jan. 19, the entertainment continues with demonstrations on juicing and dogs, the old time auction and the County Fire Cloggers.
A tractor-driving contest will be held for area FFA members Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. Schools asked to participate include Neelyville, Doniphan, Senath, Campbell, Richland, Dexter, Naylor, Southland, Holcomb, Poplar Bluff and Twin Rivers. Sponsors for the event include: Magee Equipment Company; Poplar Bluff Farm Equipment; Greenway Equipment; Baker Implement and Farm Credit Southeast Missouri.
A petting farm and livestock exhibit will be featured Friday and Saturday. Farm animals of all types will be on display.
Ag Expo also includes a beauty pageant held for seven age divisions Saturday morning. The entry fee is $30 if preregistered or $35 if registered at the door. Call 686-8064 to pre-register. Divisions include: 9:30 a.m. - girls from birth to 11 months; 10 a.m. - first birthday to 23 months; 10:30 a.m.- 2 to 4 years girls; 11 a.m. - 5 to 7 years; 11:30 a.m. - 8 to 15 years; noon, 13 to 18 years. A queen will be selected in each group.
An old time auction will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday. It will be conducted by Birdsong Auctioneers.
For more information about any of the events, to rent a booth, or to register for the beauty pageant contact the University of Missouri Extension Center, 614 Lindsay Ave., Suite 3, Poplar Bluff at 573-686-8064 or contact us at the following e-mail address: at butlerco@missouri.edu or visit our website at http://extension.missouri.edu/butler.