Farm Progress Show set for September in Boone canceled due to coronavirus surge

Tyler Jett
Des Moines Register

Farm Progress Show organizers have pulled the plug on this year's event, scheduled for Sept. 1-3 at Central Iowa Expo in Boone.

The group announced Tuesday in a news release that it is uncomfortable hosting the show given the increase in COVID-19 cases in several U.S. states.

“We felt it better to reconsider the traditional show for 2020 to prioritize the safety of all," Farm Progress Events Manager Matt Jungmann said in a statement Tuesday. "Our community’s safety is our priority, always.” 

Billed as the nation's largest outdoor agricultural exposition, the annual event alternates between Boone and Decatur, Illinois, attracting thousands of farmers and hundreds of vendors. Farm Progress said it also was canceling its Sept. 14-16 Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Farmers and industry leaders from around the world gather in Boone for the Farm Progress Show Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016.

It was the first time the Farm Progress show had been canceled since it began in 1953.

Just two weeks ago, Farm Progress had said the show in Boone was a "go" despite the coronavirus pandemic, with organizers telling the Des Moines Register it was important for farmers to stay up to date on the newest technology. They said they were working with Iowa officials to ensure safety and proper social distancing for those who attended, and were planning to supply hand sanitizer stations and spread booths apart.

The Central Iowa Expo site was making preparations, including planting demonstration crops.

However, the number of U.S. coronavirus cases has increased sharply in June, prompting governors in several states to reverse reopening initiatives or extend  emergency restrictions. Farm Progress organizers said they were worried about farmers traveling from so many parts of the country.

"We are all disappointed to not host the events this year, but feel confident that this is the right decision for our community," Farm Progress Show Vice President Dan Tourte said in a statement.

Farmers check out a cover crop demonstration at the Farm Progress Show in Boone Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016.

Farm Progress said it will offer a virtual event for farmers interested in seeing new equipment online.

The cancellation was the latest of a string of major agricultural events called off because of the pandemic. The National Pork Producers Council called off this year's World Pork Expo, which had been scheduled for June 3-5 in Des Moines. The Iowa State Fair, usually held in August, has been canceled for the first time since World War II. The weekly Downtown Farmers' Market in Des Moines, the state's largest, has gone online only. And numerous other farmers markets and county fairs are on hold.

Tyler Jett covers jobs and the economy for the Register. Contact him at 515-284-8215 and tjett@registermedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LetsJett.

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