By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News
The 11th Chatham-Kent Farm Show returns to the John D. Bradley Centre next week, providing a social and educational atmosphere for local farmers and others in the agricultural industry.
OP Show Productions is hosting the Farm Show on Wednesday, Jan. 28, and Thursday, Jan. 29, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Admission is $10, while those ages 16 and under are free.
There will be over 120 exhibit booths in Freedom Hall featuring businesses and organizations promoting their agricultural services.
Farmers will have the opportunity to see and hear about the latest in farm equipment, products, communications and technology in the agricultural industry from representatives.
The Farm Show is an opportunity for farmers to rekindle friendships with one another, as well as with many of their suppliers and business associates, in a relaxed atmosphere.
“You’ll love the Chatham-Kent favourite Farm Show,” read a statement on the OP Show Production’s website. “The show brings exhibitors and visitors from Southwestern Ontario to showcase the latest and greatest in the farming and agriculture industry.”
“It’s packed with the best and newest products and services, and you’ll meet more than 125 of the region’s premier suppliers all under one roof, with great prices to start your farming season,” the statement read. “It’s the one-stop shop to purchase all of your products.”
Another important feature of the Farm Show is the popular Speaker’s Series, featuring four experts in their respective agricultural fields.
Jordan Wallace, an Advanced Solutions Technology Specialist with GPS Ontario, will share practical insights from a recent land-forming project at the Ottawa Smart Farm. Wallace is a highly regarded expert in precision agriculture and advanced field technology solutions, specializing in sustainable land management and soil health improvement. Wallace will address real-world solutions to combat waterlogging, improve soil health and increase crop yield through targeted land-forming techniques. Wallace will address the audience on Wednesday at 11 a.m. and Thursday at 1 p.m.
Moe Agostino, of Farms.com Risk Management, has over 42 years of experience in trading markets, commodity risk management and marketing. His primary areas of expertise include grains, basis, livestock, feed, futures/options, energy/diesel, fertilizer/input purchases and both technical and fundamental analysis with a global and local market perspective. Agostino will discuss soybean futures, coming off a year of sideways trading and expectations of grain prices being much higher than expected in 2026. Agostino will speak on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and on Thursday at 11 a.m.
Andres Hurtado, co-founder of Terranova UAV, is the co-founder of an agricultural drone service company that provides precision agriculture services by integrating different technologies. Hrutado will help farmers reduce costs and emissions, and increase yields, using multispectral and drone imagery, photogrammetry, and AI. Hrutado will speak on Wednesday at 3 p.m. and Thursday at 9:30 p.m.
Shawn Brenneman, a Provincial Soil & Crop Director, will discuss the annual general meeting for St. Clair Region Soil & Crop, which is comprised of Chatham-Kent, Essex and Lambton County associations. Brenneman will talk about expectations for 2026, along with research trials from the past year, upcoming cost-share grants, workshops, and activities. Brenneman will speak on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
