Director: Nation’s largest outdoor ag show brings economic impact to central IL

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The nation’s largest outdoor agricultural show is set for next week in Central Illinois.

The Farm Progress Show will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in Decatur from Aug. 26 through Aug. 28.

Show Director Matt Jungmann said the event has grown from a corn and soybean show in the Midwest to being more global in nature. He said John Deere, Case IH and other exhibitors now do their product unveilings in Decatur.

“You have things like the world’s largest grain cart being unveiled at the show, a 3,200 bushel grain cart at Unverferth. Those are kind of the fun things to talk about, and what everybody looks forward to is the new equipment and the big pieces of equipment that are unveiled there at the show,” Jungmann told The Center Square.

New to the show this year is a Drone Zone. Jungmann said organizers worked with the Federal Aviation Administration to get the area set up.

“Visitors can stand inside a clear-walled tent and watch the drones fly and then have an opportunity to interact with the experts on applicator drones there at the show,” Jungmann said.

Hundreds of exhibitors are expected to be on hand to display technology and products from around the world.

“The first time we went to Decatur we promised a $10 million economic impact back in 2005, and our most recent economic impact study had it set, and this has been a couple years ago, but it was $33 million I believe for the 2023 show, so the economic impact over the 20 years at Decatur has more than tripled,” Jungmann said.

He said the field demonstration crop is in great shape for harvesting, tilling and other operations.

The show includes an auction to benefit Farm Rescue, an organization which supports farmers in need, and a Career Fair on Thursday, Aug. 28. The show even has its own official craft beer.

The Farm Progress Show is open Aug. 26 to 28 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.