WOOSTER — The 2018 Shearer Equipment Expo will be held on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the OARDC Fisher Auditorium (1680 Madison Ave.) in Wooster.
Coffee and doughnuts will be served from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. More than 40 vendors will have their items on display, including Shearer Equipment, which is celebrating parts discount at all seven locations this week through Saturday, Jan. 27.
"It started out many years ago as a customer appreciation event, but it has evolved into much more than that over the years," said Tara Sheldon, integrated solutions manager/corporate marketing manager of Shearer Equipment. "We want this to still be like a customer appreciation, but we want people to get more bang for their buck.
"If they come out to this event, we can show appreciation by giving them a nice meal, some entertainment, and we’re also going to have 40 booths and 30 classes we’re putting on," she continued. "We wanted to bring in people with classes that are important to our customers."
Some of the classes, which get under way at 9 a.m. on Thursday, include Private Applicator Pesticide Recertification; Dicamba Training for Roundup Ready 2 Xtend Soybeans; AMS, Just Getting Started; Utilizing Crop Insurance to Develop Your Marketing Plan; Receiver, Display and Planter Changes; Crop Insurance; Marketing Approaches and Cover Up!, Your Soil’s Health Depends On It.
OSU helps with the pesticide training and Monsanto handles the Dicamba training and four energy consultants are coming as well.
Meal service begins at 11 a.m.
Keynote speaker for the event is Damien Mason, an educated farm boy with an attitude. His comedic presentation will be presented on the Fisher Auditorium Stage at 6:30 p.m.
"He’s part talk show, part agricultural economist, with a dose of comedian," said Shearer’s promotional flier. "Join Damien for an enlightened look at agriculture. You won’t be disappointed."
Shearer Equipment will also be offering 15 percent off all attachments purchased or ordered on Jan. 25.
Sheldon said the expo provides a wide variety of information and items for people in the agriculture industry.
By attending some of the programs, various requirements for crop advisors and eligibility maintenance is met.
The event also serves as a health and safety fair at the Farm Bureau’s booth.
For more information about the annual Shearer Equipment Expo, check out the website: www.ShearerEquipment.com.
Reporter Kevin Lynch can be reached at 330-674-5676 or klynch@the-daily-record.com.