Northwest Ag Show kicks off at the Oregon state fairgrounds

Published 10:00 am Wednesday, January 15, 2025

SALEM — The Northwest Ag Show got underway this morning as farmers and ranchers attended the early-bird session of pesticide safety classes before touring the many exhibits in the Jackman-Long Building and Columbia Hall at the Oregon State Fair and Expo Center in Salem.

Another session of the free core pesticide classes offering 4 credits will take place at 1 p.m. today.

The Ag Show promises to be the best yet, with more than 100 exhibitors offering the latest in ag equipment and services, special guest Kait Thornton of social media fame, safety classes and informative talks rounding out the agenda.

The show will be open until 5 p.m. today and runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

The Oregon Farm Bureau is the title sponsor of the 55th edition of the Ag Show.

“We are honored to welcome Oregon Farm Bureau as a sponsor to the show,” show director Joe Beach said.

Major sponsors for the 2025 show include:

•Kubota.

•Northwest Hazelnut.

•Ernst Irrigation.

•Irrigation King.

•Energy Trust of Oregon.

•Oregon Department of Energy.

•AgWest Farm Credit.

•The Oregon NRCS.

The keynote speaker for the show will be Kait Thornton, known as the “Apple Girl” on social media.

She shares information about the apple- and pear-growing process throughout the year, reaching 483,000 followers on TikTok (@apple.girl.kait) and Instagram (@applegirlkait).

“She is amazing,” said Rosemary Hosie, event coordinator for Capital Press, which produces the show. “She’s breaking new space for social media influencers in agriculture.”

Present and future social media influencers are invited to listen to Thornton’s advice on how to turbocharge their online posts.

The Oregon Dairy Princess Ambassadors will distribute Tillamook cheese and milk products at the show on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

The show offers four core pesticide safety credits from Oregon and Washington state OSHA in morning and afternoon sessions on Wednesday in Cascade Hall. Signups for the 1 p.m. session are still available. There is no charge.

With so much action, Hosie recommends planning to spend a whole day — or two — at the show.

“I would just pick a whole day to attend,” she said. “Hundreds of people involved in all aspects of ag will be on hand.”

Admission is free, though there is a $5 fee for parking.

What: One of the largest ag shows in the region, featuring more than 100 exciting exhibitors, informative speakers and valuable classes.

When: Jan. 15-17

Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

Where: Oregon State Fairgrounds and Expo Center, 2330 17th St. NE, Salem in the Jackman-Long, Columbia and Cascade buildings.

Speakers: Three days of speakers, including Kait Thornton, the “Apple Girl” and social media phenomenon. Also included will be speakers on topics ranging from irrigation to pesticides and farmland conservation.

Safety seminars: Oregon OSHA will offer two sessions of pesticide classes free of charge at 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15, in Cascade Hall. Register at the door.

Cost: Free

Parking: $5

Producer: Capital Press

Information:

northwestagshow.com

Marketplace