Rain or shine, folks come back year after year to Empire Farm Days in Seneca Falls, New York. And for those who work in the farming and dairy industries, many come for the same reason.
“Just to see what’s new and to run into people you know,” said Rebecca Schuelke Staehr of Staehr Family Farm in Cayuga, New York, who attended with her husband and daughter.
Those coming to check out the latest in technology and equipment weren’t disappointed.
“It’s crazy how it changes so fast,” said Joe Shevchuk of Hop Bottom, Pennsylvania.
Empire Farm Days, the Northeast’s largest outdoor agricultural show, offered up 300 acres of exhibits, equipment, demonstrations, seminars and activities during a three-day show Aug. 5-7.
Rain on the opening day brought muddy conditions, but that gave way to sunshine on the show’s final days.
Big crowds gathered for the equipment demonstrations offered throughout each day to get a first-hand look at processes like forage chopping and hay mowing along with hay raking, baling and processing.
The show also featured daily seminars, the chance to ride and drive equipment and activities for young attendees, such as the kiddie tractor pull.
New York State Agricultural Commissioner Richard Bell said Empire Farm Days is “an awesome day off from the farm, and whenever I need something for the farm, this is the place I visit to find out about it.”
The 2015 edition of Empire Farm Days will be held Aug. 11-13. PD
PHOTOS
PHOTO ONE: Spectators view the forage chopping and handling demonstration.
PHOTO TWO: Attendees take in the 2014 Empire Farm Days.
PHOTO THREE: Show attendees watch Grizzly mill equipment in action.
PHOTO FOUR: Children compete in a cow-milking contest at Hubner Seed booth. Photos by Mike Christensen.
