Farmfest gears up for annual run, Aug. 7-9

Date Modified: 08/13/2012 10:42 AM

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GILFILLAN, Minn. — It's the 31st annual year of Minnesota's largest outdoor farm show and it promises another great year of exhibits, forums and demonstrations.

Farmfest is Aug. 7-9 at Gilfillan Estate in Redwood County. Show hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 7 and Aug. 8 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 9. Admission is $10 for those 18 and older. Parking is free.

Farmers are invited to go to the Farmfest web site, www.ideaggroup.com/farmfest, in advance of the show to register for free admittance to the show. Click on the register now button and follow the instructions.

Farmfest is located at the junction of highways 67 and 13. The address is 28366 Co Hwy 13 Morgan. From Redwood Falls, follow Highway 67 East. The show site is on the left hand

side. From Morgan, follow Highway 67 West. The show site is on the right hand side. From Jackpot Junction, follow Highway 13 South. The show site is on the right.

Farmfest became an annual tradition in 1982. Prior to that, it was held sporadically in different locations in Minnesota. Since 1994, Farmfest has been held at Gilfillan Estate. The event attracts more than 35,000 people.

Gilfillan Estate was willed to the Redwood County Historical Society to be kept in memory of Charles Oswin Gilfillan, who gifted several buildings in the area. His father, Charles Duncan Gilfillan, purchased 13,000 acres of land in Redwood County and raised livestock for export

to Great Britain.

The estate comes to life during Farmfest with public tours, food and the popular root beer floats. Old-time engines and antique farm machinery will be on display. Threshing, shelling and grinding demonstrations are held. Enjoy music under the shade of large trees.

Farmfest is also known for its seed plots. Seed plots will again be located inside gates 1, 2 and 3. Participating seed companies include: FHR Farms/ BRT Ag & Turf, NuTech Seed, LG Seeds, Enestvedt Seed Co., Pioneer Hi-Bred, Channel, Stine Seed Co., Syngenta, Gold Country Seed Inc., Wensman Seed Co., North Star Genetics Limited, DeKalb/Asgrow, Nachurs Alpine Solutions, Jung Seed Genetics Inc., Croplan Genetics, Legend Seeds, Inc., Producers Hybrids, Novozymes and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Farmfest Forum coodinator Kent Thiesse, vice president of MinnStar Bank in Lake Crystal, has lined up another great slate of panels. There are featured forums each day at 10:30 a.m., plus another at 1:15 p.m. Aug. 7 and Aug. 8.

The Craft, Toy, Home and Garden Pavilion is back and will be located inside gates 1 and 2.

Also back this year is the Noontime Ag Jamboree from noon to 1 p.m. daily in the Forum tent. Farm broadcaster Lynn Ketelsen of Linder Farm Network will host the live broadcast. Tina and Lena will entertain during the Jamboree.

Guests who want to get around faster at Farmfest may want to rent a golf cart. NB Golf Cars is the official vendor for golf carts on the site. Carts can be reserved by calling Toby Bertsch at 605-275-4653. The rental shop is inside gates 1 and 2.

There will also be plenty to eat at Farmfest. Vendors include: Culver's, Gobbler Concessions, Jerry Rankin Mini Donuts, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association, New Ulm Farm City Hub Club, Nitro Ice Cream, Redwood County American Dairy Association, Schwan's Home Service, St. Raphael Church and Tin Cup Concessions.