Oldest NC Farm Show Creates Growth Opportunities in NC, SC, VA, TN & GA

The 31st Mid-Atlantic Farm Show opens new opportunities to I-77 and I-85 cooridors for NC, SC, VA, TN & GA from Nov 2-4, 2006 for farmers, consumers, suppliers and students interested in learning more about the agricultural industry.

From sawmills to tractors, pesticides, seeds, trailers, feeds and farm supplies of all kinds, the 31st Mid-Atlantic Farm Show will bring all things agriculture to a new venue Nov 2-4, 2006. Easily accessible to both I-77 and I-85, the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center is a 190,000 square foot facility located in Concord, NC with plenty of additional exterior space for large displays and demonstrations. Attendance is expected to range from 20,000 - 40,000 professional farmers, weekend gardeners, students, landscapers and general consumers to Ag enthusiasts of all ages.

The Mid-Atlantic Farm Show is under new management and with that comes change. W.C. Lanier purchased the rights to the event this summer upon the retirement of the former owner. Lanier has pulled together a team in both Wilmington and Charlotte to make the show a success.

"We've increased our advertising budget and PR efforts by about 75%," said Lanier. "Nine billboards just went up last week. WSOC 103.7 FM, the Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau and Media General are all sponsors that know the region and can help us with our target markets beyond the print advertising we have running. All in all, it's a very exciting time."

New this year is the addition of "Ag Career Days" that opens up more than 15 career topics for pre-registered students to explore November 2-3 at the expo. Several state universities, professional organizations and community colleges will host roundtables and seminars on topics including Biotechnology, Equine, Forestry, Fish & Wildlife, Livestock, Agribusiness and much more.

Ag Career Days expects to draw 300-1500 students during the event. High schools from as far away as Bryson City have signed up and plan to manage an FFA booth throughout the expo while they attend the two-hour educational programs and other FFA activities.

"You need to change in order to grow," said Lanier. "We aim to keep the Mid-Atlantic Farm Show strong by merging the tried and true with education, new technologies, and new markets. We have large equine populations…goat meat, biofuel and grapes are becoming important aspects of our agricultural communities."

"Farmers have new opportunities and so do farm shows. Sometimes you just have to make new things happen for the right reasons…and that's what we are trying to do."

The pre-registration deadline for "Ag Career Days", free student FFA booths and expo vendors at the 31st Mid-Atlantic Farm Show is October 6th. An Antique Farm Equipment Show will also take place to raise funds for scholarships ($5 fee). Details and forms can be obtained through the website at www.midatlanticfarmshow.com or by calling 910-795-0292.