Checking out the harvest at a previous Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. (Submitted photo)

Green light means go for this year’s Wisconsin Farm Technology Days – a three-day outdoor event showcasing the latest developments in production agriculture – which is scheduled for July 20-22 at Huntsinger Farms, the largest grower and processor of horseradish in the U.S., which is known for its Silver Spring brand.

Originally slated for last July, the Eau Claire show moved to 2021 as a result of COVID-19. This year, more than 350 exhibitors from across the Midwest and Canada have committed to the show, which will also feature intimate acoustic performances by singer-songwriter Chris Kroeze each day around lunchtime. A raffle aiming to benefit the local community will offer one lucky winner a private concert, courtesy of Kroeze. 

“Farm Tech Days Eau Claire is officially on,” said Mike Gintner, executive committee chair, in a media release. “The program committees have put together an amazing range of interesting and entertaining sessions – there’s something for everyone!”

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there's something for everyone.

Mike Gintner

Executive Committee Chair

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days – originally known as Farm Progress Days – began in 1954, and was first held in Waupaca County. It has only been held in Eau Claire County once before, in 1992, although it has been held twice in Chippewa and Dunn counties over the years. Annually, this agricultural event (the largest outdoor agricultural event in the state!) brings over 45,000 attendees and more than 600 commercial and educational vendors. 

Tickets for this year’s event will go on sale by June, with final safety protocols and details decided by the Farm Tech Days committee at the end of June. This year, there will not be extended hours on Wednesday, but there will be local eats available for purchase, showcasing the brilliance of restaurants in the Chippewa Valley. “We are working with local restaurants and taverns so that show attendees can easily enjoy food, drink, and entertainment from the wide range of great options throughout the Eau Claire area,” Gintner said. 

Local singer-songwriter Chris Kroeze is slated to perform each day of this year's Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. (Photo by Luong Huynh)

Innovation Square – the heart of the show – will feature diverse area farms including Huntsinger Farms, Superior Fresh – the largest aquaponics grower of greens and salmon in the U.S.; Chippewa Valley Bean – the world’s premiere kidney bean grower and processor and its home farm, Doane Farm; award-winning Marieke Gouda cheese company and its home farm, Penterman Dairy Farm; and Ferguson’s Orchards – one of the largest apple growers and agritourism businesses in the Midwest. 

Attendees can check out wifarmtechdays.org for a real-time map showing exhibitor and exhibit locations, program details, as well as a “My Show Planner” feature to ensure they get the most out of the show. Companies are invited to reserve their spots for the July 2021 show on the website. 

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days has more than a 65-year history of bringing producers and service providers together to share what is new and innovative in agriculture. Learn more at wifarmtechdays.org.

Eau Claire's Huntsinger Farms, known for its Silver Spring brand, is the world's largest grower and processor of horseradish. (Submitted photo)