The 2012 Spokane Ag Expo and Pacific Northwest Farm Forum scheduled for February 7-9, 2012 at the Spokane Convention Center Complex is nearly here. The largest farm machinery show in the Inland Northwest will host 230 exhibitors and conduct 36 educational seminars and forums relating to agri-business from large-scale operations to small acreage farms and ranches. Exhibitors will range from large farm equipment manufacturers and service providers to businesses catering to small acreage and part-time farmers who hold down other jobs while also running their family farms. Spokane Ag Expo has been bringing agri-businesses and farmers together for 35 years.

Spokane Ag Expo will again fill the Spokane Convention Center adjacent to the Spokane DoubleTree Hotel. Every foot of the 100,000 square foot exhibit hall will be ready to welcome over 5,000 visitors. Over 230 exhibitors including large and small acreage equipment dealers and a host of agri-business service providers with the latest in farming innovations will be on hand to talk the business of agriculture with attendees.

For 57 years, the Pacific Northwest Farm Forum has scheduled seminars ranging across a wide spectrum of current topics of interest to both full-time and part-time farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.This year’s seminars are scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, Noon–4:00 p.m.; Wednesday, February 8 from 10:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; and Thursday, February 9, 10:30 a.m.–1:00.p.m.  For a complete time and topic schedule of the seminars, visit the Spokane Ag Expo new website at www.agshow.org.

The opening session of The Pacific Northwest Farm Forum on Tuesday morning, 2/7 at 9:00 a.m., again hosts Dr. Art Douglas, retired Professor Emeritus, Atmospheric Science Department, Creighton University, presenting his “2012 Forecast for Weather Conditions in the Pacific Northwest”. Joining Dr. Douglas will be John L. “Larry” Clarke, President and CEO of EGT, LLC, a joint venture with Bunge, ITOCHU and STX Pan Ocean. EGT operates the first export grain terminal built in the United States in over 25 years. This session takes place in the DoubleTree Hotel Main Ballroom.

On Wednesday, 2/8 at 9:00 a.m., in the DoubleTree Main Ballroom, John Mitchell, M & H Economic Consultants, nationally known for his economic presentations in the U.S. and the Pacific Northwest, will present his views on the 2012 Agriculture Economic Forecast. Mr. Mitchell is the past Chief Economist for U.S. Bankcorp and currently writes Sterling Bank’s Economic Newsletter. A native of Portland, Oregon, he is uniquely qualified to discuss the region’s current and likely future economic conditions.

Pacific Northwest Farm Forum is also offering 36 educational seminars scheduled to include topics relating to cattle, marketing crops and livestock, small farm planning and marketing, tax and estate planning and several recertification courses. Back again this year is the popular First Aid Certification program where participants can become certified in current first aid procedures. View all the seminar topics and scheduled times by going online to Spokane Ag Expo’s website at www.agshow.org. All seminars and speaker events will be presented in the various meeting rooms at the DoubleTree Hotel adjacent to the Convention Center.

Free parking is available at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena Parking Lot with free, round-trip shuttle bus service to the Spokane Convention Center Complex. Spokane Ag Expo is open to the public on Tuesday, 2/7 and Wednesday, 2/8 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., and on the final day of the show, Thursday, 2/9, from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. For all detailed information regarding the 2012 Spokane Ag Expo and Pacific Northwest Farm Forum, visit their new website at: www.agshow.org.