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Save the Date! The 80th Agricultural Trades Show January 19-23, 2021
Thank you to everyone who responded to the Department's recent survey about the virtual Ag Trades Show (ATS). We heard from farmers, foresters, exhibitors, presenters and the general public. We want to share initial information about how the show is shaping up. This year’s planning is an evolving process, so stay tuned as more ATS details are finalized.
Please save the dates of January 19-23, 2021 (Tuesday through Saturday)! The five-day online ATS will be a mixture of live and pre-recorded presentations and forums on agricultural and forestry issues of interest, sessions for ag producer groups, exhibitor showcases, and networking opportunities. The schedule will be a mix of day, evening and weekend offerings. Our online platform will support a digital library of information, allowing people to access the ATS' content if they can't join live.
The online nature of the ATS necessarily means that there will be a limited number of overall conference sessions. Typically, there are more than 100 unique sessions during the three-day in-person show. This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic and resulting virtual format, there will be just a fraction of that number as part of the Department's programming. However, Cooperative Extension, industry groups, and nonprofits are also planning winter training opportunities, some of which will dovetail with the ATS. We look forward to promoting those virtual programs as well.
The Department will coordinate conference themes and presentations, directly responding to continuing feedback from the agricultural and forestry sectors. Department staff will be in touch with interested producer groups to organize sessions. In addition, pesticide credits and other annual credentials will be available online. Vendors and sponsors can also showcase their businesses online. The Department is looking forward to using this new format to share important information, interact with the broad ag and forestry communities, and to celebrate Maine agriculture in January 2021.
While the Department continues its work coordinating the show, please bookmark the website: http://www.maine.gov/dacf/agtradesshow. In the coming weeks, we will post a schedule and tips on attending the online show and exhibitor information. We invite attendees and participants to subscribe to our digital newsletters—we will share virtual ATS event information to help keep you in the know.
Questions on how to participate? Email acfagtradesshow@maine.gov.
About the Maine Agricultural Trades Show
A tradition since 1941, DACF's Maine Agricultural Trades Show is where the state's agricultural community convenes to celebrate farming, network, and plan for the coming season. Organized and hosted by the Department, the show provides access to resources that empower farmers and rural communities. Typically, over 100 exhibitors and dozens of conference sessions are part of this show, attracting agricultural producers, educators, exhibitors, businesses, and others to celebrate farming, exchange best practices, and explore farming products, equipment, and services. The show is free and open to the public and is an excellent opportunity for all ages to experience Maine's dynamic agriculture industry. The 2021 show will be held virtually. DACF anticipates returning to an in-person format in 2022.
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