The words “cow town” has often been used by many to describe Greeley in a not-so positive light. While Greeley has and continues to be a city based in farming and agriculture, why is that such a bad thing?
The annual Colorado Farm Show at Island Grove Park this past week demonstrated just how valuable agriculture is to not only Greeley, but Colorado as a whole.
“It has an even exponential impact on Greeley when you think about what an event like the farm show does for agriculture in general and what agriculture does for Greeley,” said Eric Brown, the head of marketing for the show.
For the past 60 years, the farm show has provided agricultural workers and enthusiasts with a space to learn about the latest equipment and farming methods being used.
This year, over 300 exhibitors set up booths in and around the park’s event center where they were able to advertise their agriculture-related products and services. Businesses such as the Fence Post, an agriculturally focused newspaper, have been coming to the farm show for decades.
“The farm show gives us a chance not only to see our readers but also to talk to people who may be interested in the information we provide every week,” said Mary Roberts, account manager for the Fence Post.
From the Fence Post’s booth to a John Deere booth advertising their several-ton tractors on the other side of the event center, the diversity of exhibitors gave attendees a glimpse of just how much agriculture impacts the lives of Coloradans. It also gave two-year-old Josie Ford the opportunity to get behind the wheel of these massive vehicles,
“We just came out here to explore things and celebrate her (Josie’s) birthday,” said attendee and mother Kindra Ford
On average, the Colorado Farm Show draws more than 30,000 visitors over the three days it’s in town, which also provides a great economic boost to Greeley.
“Even just with folks that come from outside Greeley, it was upwards of about a $2.5 million impact," Broawn said. "We think it’s probably bigger than that based on how many folks close by still come."
The show also gives out scholarships to students who they feel have made an impact on their community, in the agriculture industry and are pursuing an agricultural major. This year, 12 high school seniors and two college students were awarded with a total of $29,000 to help with their education expenses.
While this year’s event has come to an end, we can expect the Colorado Farm Show continue to make an impact on the Greeley community in the years to come.
