There's still time to hop in your vehicle and head for the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, which started this morning (Friday, Feb. 27) at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.

This year's show, which runs until 4:30 p.m., Saturday, offers a close-up look at all that's new in agriculture, the latest information on markets and crop outlooks, an array of new educational exhibits, and fun for the entire family.

The event, sponsored by the Southern Cotton Ginners Association, with Delta Farm Press as co-sponsor, will have more than 400 exhibits spread across the convention center's exhibit halls.

“The show is the place where it all comes together for Mid-South farmers before the new planting season gets under way,” says Tim Price, SCGA executive vice president and show manager.

“That's even more true this year, with the U.S. and world economies in turmoil and all those uncertainties reflected in the agricultural outlook.”

But, Price says, “Agriculture is an industry that always pulls itself together and meets challenges head-on. Our show gives Delta growers an opportunity to meet face-to-face with hundreds of agriculture's most knowledgeable people and get an insight into all the forces that are shaping the 2009 crop year.”

This year's exhibits encompass everything from the new module-builder cotton harvesters to the latest in GPS technologies, biotech seeds, chemicals, and a host of other products and services to help farmers achieve greater efficiency and production.

“Farmers are hungry for information as they try and get a handle on what to do this year,” Price says, “and there's no better place to talk with industry, Extension, and research experts, as well as interaction with fellow farmers.”

New this year will be a dozen or so educational exhibits on the convention center's mezzanine level, where university specialists, researchers, and industry experts will make available the latest information on biofuels, ATV training/safety, crop production/harvesting research results, as well as opportunities for skin and other health screening.

There's still time to attend the grains outlook and marketing seminar conducted by Richard Brock, president, Brock Associates, one of the nation's leading analysts of agricultural markets and issues.

“Richard's seminars always draw a full house,” Price says, “and his insights this year should be especially useful to growers as they finalize plans for the new season.”

The Brock seminar will be at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, in the convention center lobby meeting room.

In addition to Q&A opportunities during the seminar, Brock will have a booth at the show, where farmers may visit with him personally.

“It's a great show,” Price says, “and there's still time to attend the show and have some fun and great food in downtown Memphis.”

Exhibit areas at the show are open today (Friday) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free, but registration is required for admittance to the exhibit areas.