The 51st Annual Western Illinois University Ag Mech Club’s Farm Expo will be held this weekend in Macomb inside Western Hall. Considered the largest student-run agricultural event in the country, Vice President of Expo Operations Jaclyn Janssen, who is a senior agricultural major from Avon, shares the free event features vendors and activities for the entire family:
“We have bakeries from around the area as well as a couple other companies you might recognize, Compeer, Western Grain Marketing, Martin Tractor, Birkey’s Farm Store, and then all the way down to our local craft vendors. It really is just a mod podge of vendors and we are really excited to support the community in this way. We have a few students that are bringing a research project that will be on display as well as a fraternity will be running the concession stand. We also have some students that will be selling some merchandise over at the Ag Mech booth. We have a big bouncy house and some face painting, it will be a fun time for sure.”
WIU’s Ag Mech Club Farm Expo will take place this Saturday, March 4th from 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday, March 5th from 10 am to 4 pm in Western Hall. Free parking is available right next to the venue in Q-Lot.
More details from Western Illinois University can be found below:
After a multi-year break because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 51st Western Illinois University Ag Mech Club’s Farm Expo will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 4 and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, March 5 in Western Hall. Free parking is available in Q-Lot, adjoining the venue.
The Farm Expo, considered the largest student-run agricultural event in the country, will include displays of farm tractors and machinery, ag sales and service, ag management, emerging ag technology, livestock and crop supplies, conservation and ag structures. There will also be a variety of craft vendors upstairs in Western Hall, as well as free children’s activities, including a bouncy house, face painting, a balloon artist and glitter tattoos. WIU faculty and students will also show displays of their research.
Display spaces for the event are still available and can be registered for by visiting bit.ly/agmechshow.
In addition to the show, the WIU Aggies will also host an Aggies and Friends social from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4 at the Ice House (formerly The Change of Pace) in Macomb. Registration is $10, which includes appetizers. A cash bar will be available.
The event gives alumni an opportunity to visit with fellow Leathernecks and learn about happenings in WIU’s School of Agriculture, and the annual Distinguished Alumni from the School of Agriculture will be honored. Registration for the social can be completed by visiting bit.ly/Aggies23.
WIU Ag Mech Club President Devon Passalacqua, a junior agriculture major, of Carlinville, IL, said the organization appreciates everyone’s cooperation and teamwork in making this year’s event “one for the record books.”
“We appreciate all the vendors committed to the agricultural industry, and the WIU student body,” he said. “The Ag Mech Expo is the perfect place for vendors to showcase their products and latest innovations. There will also be a variety of craft vendors and free activities for people of all ages.”
Show Coordinator Jaclyn Janssen, a senior agriculture major, of Avon, IL, said this is the first Farm Expo held since she began attending WIU.
“My family and I attended them over the years, but I am excited to play a part this year,” she said. We still have booths for vendors to purchase and we will continue pushing until we have a full show. We hope to see a large turnout to celebrate being back in action.”
The Ag Mech Club’s advisors are WIU Agriculture Instructor Jana Knupp and Associate Professor of Agriculture Daniel Atherton.
Follow the Farm Expo on Facebook at facebook.com/WiuAgMechFarmExpo/. For more information about the School of Agriculture visit wiu.edu/ag.
