Federal budget issues, the farm bill, Waters of the U.S., and climate change — each year issues and events occur all around us. Often, the historic issues and events of one year are bested by historic events the next.

The constant in it all are the farmers and ranchers who continue to plan for the coming year, regardless of the year they just closed out. And for many, those plans include attending the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show.

Scheduled for Feb. 27-28 at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, it’s one of the first trade shows of the season. It’s sponsored by the Southern Cotton Ginners Association and Foundation and Delta Farm Press.

“Our show gives farmers and others in agriculture the opportunity to see first-hand the latest innovations and services available,” says Tim Price, show manager and executive director of the SCGA.

Despite the big picture issues, farmers deal with more granular issues, such as the mix of crops and acreage needed to meet the demands of the coming year, he says. “What will acreage look like in 2015, and how will markets consume the crops produced in 2014? These are key issues to be addressed at the 2015 show, among others.”

Attendees can learn from experts in these specific areas at the Ag Update educational seminars set for Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Lobby Meeting Room. Those attending can also expect to hear from the incoming chairman of the Cotton Council, as well as representatives of rice and cotton industries who will provide market outlooks and address other issues related to 2015. Richard Brock of Brock Associates will headline the Saturday Ag Update seminar.

In addition to face-to-face meetings, the show will provide information via mobile app and other technology platforms. An updated version of the mobile app will be available in early 2015, and will feature exhibit floor maps, schedules, links to social media platforms, speaker biographies, and other pertinent information. Those who download the app can also sign up for alerts for the latest available information about the show.

The app is just one of example of technological advancements for the South’s longest-running indoor farm show, Price says. Attendees can pre-register online by clicking on the attendee registration button at the Farm and Gin Show website (www.farmandginshow.com), completing their information, and bringing their confirmation to the show for a quick print-out of their name badge.

“By pre-registering online, attendees can quickly scan their confirmation at a computer kiosk, and receive their name badge,” Price says. “This will save time insure that their information is accurate.” Staff will be on hand to assist attendees who have pre-registered, as well as those who prefer to register on site.

Cash prizes will be awarded each day of the show. Those who pre-register by Feb. 16 will be entered into an early $1,000 cash prize drawing.

The show annually attracts thousands of domestic and international decision-makers. Show attendees hail from every state in the nation and many foreign countries.

Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. More information is available at www.farmandginshow.com.