Ag Expo ready for 
another successful run

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JANUARY 2008 -The very first California agricultural show of the year is just weeks away! Join us in celebrating the farm industry at the 32^nd Annual Stockton Ag Expo on January 22, 23 and 24, 2008. This three-day event, held at the San Joaquin Fairgrounds, features hundreds of exhibitors showcasing their agricultural equipment, products and services to growers.

Stockton Ag Expo is a “regional” farm show, drawing farmers and agri-businesses from Northern California, Oregon, Northern Nevada and other parts of the nation.

Everything in the latest agricultural equipment and supplies needed for successful farming will be on display.

Parts for on-farm repairs may be found alongside new tractors or specialty harvesters. Beans or tree fruit/nuts may be shown next to haying and tillage equipment. Computers and software may be alongside nurseries, seed companies or insurance agents. Every imaginable safety product can be found near farm tires, irrigation equipment, or grower organizations. Grower services include repair shops, accounting firms, pension planners, builders of farm buildings and well drilling.

Stockton Ag Expo is truly a supermarket for agriculture. In recent years, the annual farm show has become a “selling show,” permitting deals to be struck and products sold on the spot.

Programs listing companies, both alphabetically and by category, will be available at the entrance gates so visitors may easily find the company or product they are seeking. Also, a list of the day’s activities will be handed out.

We’re very proud of our major sponsors that include Ag Alert/California Farm Bureau Federation, Air Products & Chemicals, Builders Exchange of Stockton, J.R. Simplot Company, Port of Stockton, The Record, San Joaquin County Office of Education, and University of Phoenix. Their thoughtful contributions make it possible for us to have People Movers that transport visitors from their cars to the gates, antique truck displays and numerous other amenities that make the show so popular.

Stockton Ag Expo is not all business. We’ll have an extensive exhibit of antique trucks and early day gas engines, and one can see the trucks parade down the midway at 3 p.m. every afternoon of the show. Most of the trucks are of the variety that helped farmers get their products from their farms to processors or markets. They range from popular Model T’s to early Mac varieties. All are displayed in the middle of the farm equipment show off the midway mall.

The working exhibits of early day gas engines are sponsored by “Chuggers,” a feature at Stockton Ag Expo since its beginning more than 30 years ago. Set off in the livestock exhibit areas of the fairground, the gas engines and old-time tractor exhibits are easy to locate. Because of their chugging, whistling, and tooting, you need only follow the sounds to find them.

For those of you who are antique truck lovers, Frank Mauro of Stockton Wheel is gathering a bevy of classic trucks that will be displayed in all their glory during the show. You’ll see the pride of their owners dedicated to preserving the past through the restoration of their favorite trucks.

For the second year in a row we are having a Toy Tractor & Truck Display and Sales Area that will be centrally located in Building 2. Can’t afford a brand new truck or tractor? Come on in to Building 2 and get a scale replica of your favorite model. If you are a fan of the toys you don’t want to miss this!

As part of the Ag Expo experience, we are proud to feature our fourth Annual Recycling Expo (REXPO). Exhibits will present recycled content products, alternative fuels, green practices, as well as seminars on the latest technologies and up-to-date information on the new laws impacting agriculture, and recycling issues not just in the San Joaquin Valley, but throughout California. The REXPO can be found in Buildings 4 and 5.

Show hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on January 22^nd & 23^rd, and 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on January 24^th. Admission is only $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for children ages 6-12, and free to those younger when accompanied by an adult. FFA and 4-H students in uniform are admitted free. As always, parking is free at the San Joaquin Fairgrounds, and we’ll have shuttle buses ready to pick you up and get you to the gate.

For more information on Stockton Ag Expo go to our website www.stocktonagexpo.com or, call 547-2960. Stockton Ag Expo is a project of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce.