Farm Focus ends, will try new approach

SALEM, Ohio – Farm Focus fans, your time has run out.

The show won’t return next year after organizers voted to discontinue the northwest Ohio tradition.

Instead, the committee had decided to change the focus of future Farm Focus projects.

The last time. This year’s show ran July 30-31 and included the latest in agricultural exhibits, speakers, non-biased crop research and innovative equipment demonstrations.

Also featured were visits by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, a used equipment consignment auction and tractor pulls.

A new approach. The volunteer organizers say they’re committed to continuing the crop research plots at the site, as well as keeping the event’s educational aspects intact.

Though they will discontinue the two-day field day, they will offer wagon tours throughout the year to get farmers the most up-to-date research data and crop information.

A little history. According to the Farm Focus Web site, the event started as plowing matches more than 30 years ago. It became what was known as Farm Focus in 1974, and was held at farms across the county for 20 years.

Since 1994, the event was held at the Marsh Foundation School farm on the north side of Van Wert.

(Reporter Andrea Myers welcomes reader feedback by phone at 1-800-837-3419, ext. 22, or by e-mail at amyers@farmanddairy.com.)