The Colusa Farm Show will get underway on Tuesday to showcase the latest innovations in farming technology, equipment, and services over its three-day run at the Colusa County Fairgrounds, 1303 10th St., Colusa.

COLUSA, CA (MPG) - Colusa is gearing up for the “granddaddy” of farm shows.

All eyes will be on the Colusa County Fairgrounds next week, when the three-day farm trade show gets underway on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

The Colusa Farm Show runs through Thursday.

The exposition, hosted each year by the 44th District Agricultural Association, is a one-stop showcase of the latest innovations in farming technology, equipment, and services.

Equipment will be moving onto the fairgrounds all weekend.

About 300 exhibitors are expected at the exposition, which showcases the latest in agriculture equipment used in planting, spraying, and harvesting many kinds of crops, along with lending institutions and those who sell fuel, motor vehicles, farm insurance, tools, and more, fair officials said.

Farm Show sponsors this year include Arnold’s, Colusa Casino & Resort, Nelson Mfg., G.N. Henley, and Tuff Boy.

The exhibit buildings on the Colusa County Fairgrounds will be packed with the latest information, Feb. 6-8, for the annual running of the Colusa Farm Show.

First billed as the Sacramento Valley Orchard Machinery Fair in 1965, the three-day Colusa Farm Show has been the model for all other farm shows in the western United States. The World Ag Expo, the largest farm trade show in the world, which is held the following week in Tulare, was established one year after Colusa and was based on Colusa's model for an agriculture exposition.

The Colusa Farm Show was first established by a committee of about 30 people, including local farmers, wholesale merchants, retail merchants, manufactures, and other individuals, who developed the premise for the show, which was largely focused on orchard-related equipment.

Within a few years, the show was opened to all other agriculture products and remains the only farm trade show in the west with free admission and free parking.

The Fairgrounds will welcome Farm Show visitors from 9 AM to 4 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday and from 9 AM to 3 PM on Thursday. Food from a variety of vendors will be available for purchase.

Many businesses will be handing out “bling” such as hats, pens, notebooks, and totes. Some will offer free opportunity drawings for products and services, while others will raise money for great causes.

Longtime Farm Show vendor Napa Auto Parts will be back at the Colusa Farm Show showcasing their products while helping the Colusa County Animal Shelter, a fundraising tradition they started at the 2023 show.

“Napa Auto Parts is proud to support the Friends of Colusa County Animal Shelter (FOCCAS) through its booth at this year’s Farm Show with the "Napa Bucket Promotion,” said Frank Camilli. “Thanks to the generosity of 2023 Farm Show attendees, Napa raised over $6,000, which enabled FOCCAS to make significant improvements to the exterior kennel area of the shelter.” 

Napa will be taking $5 donations for a Napa bucket, Milwaukee tool raffle, and coupon for discounted merchandise at participating Napa stores in Colusa and surrounding counties.

“All proceeds will be donated to FOCCAS to benefit the animals of the Colusa County Animal Shelter,” Camilli said.

Visitors can visit the Napa Auto Parts booth in the Main Exhibit Building of the Colusa County Fairgrounds.

"FOCCAS uses donations to make improvements to the shelter and improve the lives of shelter animals,” said FOCCAS volunteer Pam DaGrossa. “FOCCAS regularly provides vaccines and medicines, medical assessment and treatment, and transport to rescue partners.” Upcoming projects will focus on providing increased sanitation and shelter for animals.

The Colusa County Fairgrounds staff and fair board welcomes visitors to the Colusa Farm Show to join them daily at 9 am at the flagpole at the front entrance for the playing of the “National Anthem” and “So, God made a Farmer.”