Bill Northey Iowa Secretary of Agriculture

FORT DODGE – Farm News’ 12th annual Ag Show is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday at 2031 Quail Ave., Fort Dodge.

The site is the former location for Smithway Motor Xpress on the east edge of Fort Dodge.

Bill Northey, Iowa’s secretary of agriculture, will be attending the Farm News Ag Show at 7 a.m. on Thursday in room 20 on the second level above the speaker’s room.

Northey will be serving as a guest speaker for the monthly meeting the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance’s agriculture committee.

His talk is open to the public.

Northey is a fourth-generation Iowa farmer who grows corn and soybeans on his farm near Spirit lake.

He started farming with his grandfather, Sid Northey, after graduating from Iowa State University in 1981 with a degree in ag business.

He was elected ag secretary in November 2006 and sworn in on Jan. 2, 2007.

He ran on a platform of expanding opportunities in renewable energy, promoting conservation and stewardship, and telling the story of Iowa agriculture.

Northey said he travels to all 99 counties of Iowa annually to hear from farmers and rural residents with a stake in farming’s future.

On his farm, he said he practices reduced tillage, precision agriculture and grid soil sampling.

Besides raising corn and soybeans, the Northey farm grows alfalfa and raised hogs and cattle throughout the years.

From 1995-1996 he served as president of the National Corn Growers Association and was chairman of the group in 1996-1997.

More than 30,000 square feet of exhibitor space and more than 70 exhibitors from Iowa and surrounding states will showcase their latest state-of-the-art technology in grain products, equipment, ag services, seed varieties and farm toys.

Parking is free, and there is no admission charge to the show.

Those attending the show can register to win a Kubota top and bottom set toolbox, valued at more than $2,100. The toolbox is provided by R & J Material Handling, in Fort Dodge, and Farm News. They can also win a 1/16 die-cast metal replica of a Steiger Panther PTA 325, which is provided by Le Mars Toy Store, in Le Mars.

Water will be served during the speaker presentations by Blue Ribbon Pelham Waters of Fort Dodge.

Farm News subscribers cross 33 counties in northwest and north central Iowa will have a chance to meet face-to-face with more than 70 exhibitors.

Lunch is available on-site by the Webster County Pork Producers from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday and by the Webster County Beef Producers from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Meals will be served by the Growth Alliance Ag Leaders with the help of Iowa Central Community College agricultural students.

There will be a free pancake breakfast for the first 525 guests from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 5. The breakfast is catered by Chris Cakes and is sponsored by Lundell Plastics, of Odebolt.