After discussion among their respective boards, the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council, the North Dakota Corn Growers Association, the North Dakota Soybean Council and the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association have announced that their fourth annual Northern Corn and Soybean Expo will transition to a virtual format in 2021 due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions.
“We are disappointed we won’t be able to hold our traditional in-person Expo as we have in years past,” said Austin Langley, chairman of the North Dakota Soybean Council. “We felt, given all the uncertainty at the moment, it would be difficult to safely navigate a large indoor event. This is about doing the right thing for our farmers and industry in terms of health and safety – which is our top priority.”
The Northern Corn and Soybean Expo, traditionally a one-day event, will be held virtually in two back-to-back morning sessions on Feb. 23-24, 2021. The Soybean Growers and the Corn Growers associations will hold their respective annual meetings on Wednesday, Feb. 24. A livestream broadcast will be available for North Dakota farmers.
This year’s agenda will include a live virtual taping of the U.S. Farm Report. The taping will be moderated by Tyne Morgan, and the panel will feature commodity marketing specialists and a virtual question-and-answer segment.
“We are excited to provide North Dakota corn and soybean producers with the same high-quality content that has come to be expected at the Northern Corn and Soybean Expo,” said Terry Wehlander, chairman of the Corn Utilization Council. In He said there will also be weather insights from Eric Snodgrass and the event will include agricultural advocacy with Rob Sharkey, also known in digital circles as The Shark Farmer.”
ADVERTISEMENT
More than 750 producer attendees and more than 75 exhibitors packed the trade show floor at the 2020 Expo in the Fargodome. This year, the NDSGA and the NDCGA are working to offer sponsorships along with electronic and print promotion opportunities for industry partners and supportive ag businesses and organizations in lieu of an in-person trade show. All proceeds will help fund the NDSGA’s and the NDCGA’s grassroots advocacy efforts in Bismarck and Washington, D.C.
“Farmers are always looking to discover what’s new in agriculture,” says NDSGA President Joe Ericson. “This year, producers from across the state can learn the latest from agricultural companies and industry without leaving their farms."
Rob Hanson, president of the NDCGA, said the virtual format allows the groups to expand attendance.
“"... we hope to see excellent participation in our grower association annual meetings. It will be a great way to hear board updates, take part in board elections, and help establish priorities for the legislative session,” Hanson said.
For more information and further announcements, visit www.northerncornsoyexpo.com .
The Expo, a free event designed to benefit corn and soybean producers, features sessions on current issues affecting producers’ operations, nationally-acclaimed speakers covering important topics and electronic promotions featuring companies showcasing emerging technologies and products.
