Farmers and ranchers attend the Spokane Ag Show to connect with each other, and the people with whom they do business, event organizers say.

“We’re a true business-to-business, business-to-consumer trade show,” show director Melisa Paul told the Capital Press.

About 5,000 people are expected to attend during the show, which runs Feb. 4-6.

More than 200 exhibitors will be on hand, an increase over last year, Paul said.

The ag show’s Pacific Northwest Farm Forum offers educational seminars — a “fantastic cherry on the sundae,” for growers looking for continuing education recertification credits, Paul said.

New items this year include the announcement of several scholarships for active Inland Northwest farm youths during the FFA presentation Feb. 6. Fifteen students applied for the new program.

“We’re thrilled with that, oh my gosh,” program director Diahne Gill said. “We just expect it to grow year after year.”

Popular speakers Art Douglas, professor emeritus of atmospheric sciences at Creighton University, and Randy Fortenbery, Thomas B. Mick Endowed Chair of Small Grains Economics at Washington State University, will deliver their annual weather and economic forecasts to farmers and ranchers.

“Shark Farmer” Rob Sharkey will be at the show all three days, interviewing and recording for his broadcasts and serving as keynote for the FFA presentation, Paul said.

Sharkey told the Capital Press he and wife Emily hope to tour the Palouse while they’re in the area.

“He’s an amazing man, he really is fascinated (by) our industry,” Paul said of Sharkey. “Those flatlanders really get impressed by the way we harvest wheat on hills out here.”

Longtime cattle market analyst Duane Lenz will speak as the show works to emphasize the region’s ranchers.

“We have a lot of cattle out here and we want to make sure that market is catered to as well,” Paul said.

The Spokane Ag Show is one of the largest farm shows in the Pacific Northwest, Paul said.

“We know wheat prices and the industry have taken a hard road the last couple of years,” Paul said. “We just want (farmers) to know we’re here to serve them. It’s important to still stay connected during difficult times. We’ve got to stay together as a community. It’s important that we get together once a year and keep the business moving.”