Greg Bingaman of La Grande drives an Apache self-propelled sprayer into the parking lot of the Hermiston Conference Center for the Farm Fair and Trade Show Wednesday. <i>Staff photo by E.J. Harris</i>
Greg Bingaman of La Grande drives an Apache self-propelled sprayer into the parking lot of the Hermiston Conference Center for the Farm Fair and Trade Show Wednesday. <i>Staff photo by E.J. Harris</i>
No parking spaces remained at the Hermiston Conference Center early Wednesday morning, but there was a difference at this year's Hermiston Farm Fair & Trade Show.
It was filled with farm vehicles, mostly pickups, with only a few pieces of farm machinery.
Debbie Pedro, executive director of the Greater Hermiston Chamber of Commerce, said moving most of the outdoor displays to the neighboring parking lot of Tom Denchel Ford this year freed space in the conference center's parking lot.
"That really has allowed us to have sufficient parking for our seminar-goers," she said.
As the Farm Fair and Trade Show began Wednesday, the streets and the overflow parking lot behind the conference center were filling.
Pedro said about 50 vendors had set up displays in and around the conference center. That's the maximum number the building can accommodate, she said.
"We're offering seminars that cover all agricultural fields, crops and livestock," Pedro said. "We think there's something for everyone here."
By mid-afternoon, more than 200 people had registered for the three-day event.
Wednesday's events included an all-day potato production seminar, a morning livestock seminar and an afternoon forage, grass seed and legume seminar.
Today's schedule included an ag issue seminar, focusing on biofuels and water this morning. This afternoon's schedule features pesticide training and a general session with a variety of topics, including corn and wheat production in the Columbia Basin.
The Farm Fair Banquet is at 6:45 p.m. today at the Desert River Inn in Umatilla. Ohio agriculture comedian Jay Hendren is the guest speaker.
The 34th annual Farm Fair & Trade Show concludes Friday with a morning-long session on pesticides and more training for chemical applicators.
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