ESSEX JUNCTION — More than 150 vendors are getting prepared to set up shop at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds in January for the next edition of the Vermont Farm Show. For more than 80 years, the Farm Show has been a great place to check out new technology, see old friends and catch up on a variety of association updates through organizational meetings.
This year’s show will again feature Consumer Night on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m., hosted by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, as well as the very popular Iron Chef Challenge!
A variety of events are scheduled throughout the three days, including the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Annual Meeting on Tuesday, the FFA Competitions on Wednesday and the Vermont Dairyman’s Banquet on Thursday. Also highlighted will be annual meetings of the following associations: the Vermont Beekeepers, the Christmas Tree Growers, the Vermont Sheep and Goat and the Vermont Beef Producers.
Diane Bothfeld, Deputy Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, will again be offering updates on the dairy industry on Thursday morning just prior to the banquet. The Vermont Organic Dairy Farmers will meet on Wednesday during the show.
Other groups using the space available at the Essex Junction site include the Vermont Specialty Food Association board and the Farm Service Agency board.
The show runs from Tuesday, Jan. 26, through Thursday, Jan. 28. Parking and entry to the show are free, but for the third year, organizers are partnering with the Vermont FoodBank and asking everyone to bring a donation of food or cash to the event so that we can help our hungry neighbors.
Current vendors are listed on online at www.vtfarmshow.org, and updates will be added as they are available.
With the loss of an assistant manager in charge of the contests, there has been a change in how contests will be handled. Check the website for more information on the contests.