GET THE EDGE: Farmers can get the edge in Ag this year and try-out the newest innovation and products at Empire Farm Days, August 9, 10 & 11 at the Rodman Lott and Son Farms, Seneca Falls, NY. With more than 600 exhibitors and a hundred acres of displays visitors will be treated to the newest equipment in action, live field demos, seminars and product strategies for dairy, farm, field, crops, livestock and equine. For 3 days in August, it all comes together--- technology, equipment and products from the leading manufacturers and specialists for Northeast farmers and landowners. It's all about Northeast agriculture and it's all at Empire Farm Days.
HANDS ON AG: For anyone who works the land, raises livestock, grows crops, or is anyway involved in agriculture, EFD is a direct link to new farm technologies, equipment, ideas and the excitement of Northeast agriculture. With more than 600 exhibitors, Empire Farm Days offers today's Northeast Farmer more than 3,000 brand names to chose from. Exhibitors showcase the latest developments in technology and equipment to northeast agricultural professionals, face-to-face. Farmers can connect directly with the manufacturers and representatives for the thousands of agricultural products and services available to today's farmer. They can touch, see and examine the actual products and equipment.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY UNEQUALED ANYWHERE: For businesses, EFD means connecting directly with farmers and farmers connecting directly with manufacturers. The farm show is the only place where producers can see the future, try out the latest innovations, and engage the eyes and ears of the folks in the midst of creating the future of agriculture. One day out of the year at EFD and you have participated in a business opportunity unequalled anywhere! Businesses come away with a clear picture of their market and who they are selling to. That's the essence of getting back to the basics of selling-knowing customers and their market first hand. At EFD, businesses aren't just selling to customers, they are part of the excitement of Northeast agriculture in this new market they are helping to create.
TIME CRUNCHED ?! Farmers and the folks who serve them are crunched for time. EFD comes to the rescue with everything you need, and many new innovations you didn't realized existed… all in one place, at one time. It's the perfect opportunity to improve your bottom line, effectively, efficiently and to educate yourself and your employees about farming today and tomorrow. It is a learning, buying, exciting opportunity you won't find anywhere else.
EASY TO NAVIGATE: The 2005 EFD is designed with today's producer in mind. Like exhibits are grouped for your convenience. Field Demonstrations are adjacent to the exhibit area for easy access. Programs and seminars run continuously, all three days. Whether you are comparison shopping, checking out what is new, or looking for an answer to a specific challenge, EFD provides all that quickly, efficiently and in person!
EFD IS FOR YOU: No matter what type of agriculture you are involved in: dairy, livestock, crops, equine, fruit, vegetable, forestry, woodlot, specialty crops…EFD is the place to try out the new ag and get the edge this year.
Demonstrations, Seminars & Presentations
Action is the name of the game at Empire Farm Days with more than 50-pieces of iron operating in the field, and opportunities for farmers to test drive some of them. Exhibitors pull out all the stops to show Northeast Farmers what's new and innovative. Many exhibitors actually demonstrate their products and services right on their exhibitor lots and adjacent fields. Tractor safety, skid steer dances, band saws, fence building, hay management, mixer wagons, combining, building construction, antique tractors, vegetable and fruit specialty equipment, livestock handling, crop & breed displays, dairy and livestock equipment, are just a sampling of what is happening and available on each individual lot.
The real power and excitement of agriculture and a continual highlight of Empire Farm Days are the Field Equipment Demonstrations. These action-packed demos give manufacturers a chance to show farmers first hand how their equipment responds to actual field conditions and farmers get a chance to talk directly with the company representatives about the equipment while kicking the tires and evaluating the results. While you're in the Demonstration area check out USDA's COVER CROP DEMO or our new SAFE & SECURE WORKSHOP where young and old alike will have a hands-on chance to learn the safe operation of many small machines including lawn mowers, ATV's, compact tractor w/ PTO, and chain saw. This short, hands on workshop could prove to be a lifesaver for youth and their parents.
Recognizing the importance of the Northeast as one of the three major dairy regions in the nation, Empire Farm Days continues it's dairy emphasis and direction to provide dairy producers with the newest products and advance technology. Northeast Dairy Business magazine and Empire Farm Days will be hosting a series of DAIRY PROFIT SEMINARS (#424) focused on the latest in management and profitability strategies from those who know the business.
Horse owners will have more opportunities than ever at this year's Empire Farm Days. The Equine Center (#503) will feature educational and informational displays about and for the equine industry. There will also be a chance to register to win a prize for visitors to this center. The Equine Center will be host to short seminars on key issues facing horse owners. In addition to the center, horse owners will see trailers, tractors, fencing, feed and other inputs necessary to maintain their equine business. Vegetable farmers and fruit farmers will find an incredible storehouse of items for their business at Empire Farm Days. A special emphasis will be put on GRAPE GROWERS at the show this year. The Grape Center in the Empire Building (#400) will be a great place to stop and visit with experts in the industry and get a taste of wine or grape juice at our sampling area. GRAIN PRODUCERS should be sure to catch the "Marketing Your Grain Crop" Seminar on Tues. & Wed. at 9:30 am & 2: 30 pm in the Special Events Center (#600).
Everything from tractors, sprayers, seed, buildings and so much more is on display. Fencing and buildings and other inputs for raising cattle, hogs, sheep and other livestock including field equipment. Crop producers can see the latest in tractors, implements, seed, fertilizer, and countless other exhibits geared toward their operations. Woodlot management is a priority for many in the Northeast and Empire Farm Days offers exhibits showing everything you need, including bandsaws, chainsaws, sawmills and forestry management systems. Small farms will find many ideas and products to meet their needs and producers interested in alternative farming methods can visit displays geared toward their unique needs.
Due to popularity of our Ride & Drive area we are continuing with our Compact Tractor Driving Experience (#928). Visitors will be able to test drive compact utility tractors at a "track" during the show. Major manufacturers will all have tractors and personnel on hand for visitors to have a driving experience on select 25-60 horsepower tractors. Participants will be able to sign-up to win DEWALT POWER TOOLS just for taking part in the Compact Tractor Driving Experience.
Industry Connections, Information Centers, Contests & Awards it's all at EFD
All visitors to 2005 Empire Farm Days will have a chance to register to win a RTV900---The Innovative New Utility Vehicle from Kubota, designed with tractor technology….. Other opportunities to win prizes are in the Equine Center , the Compact Tractor Driving Area.-Dewalt Power Tools and The Tractor Seminars at the John Deere booth-John Deere Power Tools.
Farm Health & Safety associations come together at Empire Farm Days to provide farmers free health screenings and life saving demos. Safe & Secure is a new program this year that will provide a hands-on learning from for youth and adults on the safe operation of small machinery. Farm Family Programs offer daily programs designed to help farm families meet today's farm lifestyles challenges, including skin cancer screenings. USDA and the NYS DEC have tents filled with information and displays for Northeast farmers. Folks interested in the latest research, programs and agricultural technologies should visit Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences new location in the Empire Building (#400). The Special Events Center (#600) will again host award winning farmers and students as the Empire State Potato Growers Inc., American Agriculturist and NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets team up to present an Environmental Stewardship Award. The ESPG annual scholarship will also be given out. A new award recognizing producers who operate with the utmost concern for SAFETY will be presented for the first time at EFD.
The future of agriculture rests in our youth. For the first time ever, EFD is coming together with the leading agricultural colleges in NY to offer students a chance to explore opportunities for education. Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, SUNY @ Cobleskill, SUNY @ Morrisville and SUNY @ Alfred will be on hand throughout the show, but come together on Thurs., Aug 11th for a COLLEGE FAIR at the Speical Events Center 11 am and 2 pm.
There is certainly power in the future and EFD is privileged to be host to the NYS Future Farmers of America and NY 4-H Tractor Operators Contest (#928). Close to 100 young students from across NY will compete on Thursday, August 11th in a statewide contest. EFD will also be host to other FFA competitions.
Visitor Services
Visit the new Welcome Center (#601) staffed by the Empire State Potato Growers, Inc.-the ones responsible for bringing you 72 Shows, year after year. Get up to date show information and schedules and a complimentary bag of NY-grown potato chips. Also, new this year, visitors will have access to an ATM machine provided by Lyons National Bank at the Welcome Center (#601)
Also, stop by the Seneca County Tourism booth in the Northeast Main tent booth (#44) for ideas on how to extend your stay in the scenic Finger Lakes Region. Don't miss the antique tractor parade each afternoon. The Finger Lakes Regional Airport makes flying a easy way to get to the show, complete with a free shuttle run by the NY Flying Farmers.
Take advantage of the EFD's famous beef, pork and chicken BBQ's as well as its short order food booths offering a quick drink, hot dog, hamburger, hot sausage, ice cream and other snacks. By all means, use the trams to get back to your car at the end of a long day of walking, and talking.