Prairie Farmer Logo

Slideshow: Take a look around the 2019 Farm Progress Show, where it truly was the “year of the tractor.”

Holly Spangler, Senior Editor, Prairie Farmer

September 6, 2019

33 Slides

The Farm Progress Show wrapped up its 2019 run last week in Decatur, Ill., with some of the largest crowds the show has ever seen, plus some of the best weather.

Following a half inch of rain that fell on Monday, Aug. 26, and made for a dreary setup day, the skies cleared and temperatures cooled — ideal for visitors to walk the 90-acre exhibit field and check out more than 600 exhibits.

“That rain meant we couldn’t hold field demonstrations on Tuesday, but it also brought a cool front that paved the way for perfect conditions on Wednesday and Thursday,” says Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress national events director.

Farmers showed up in a big way for those demonstrations, lining up behind the safety rope dozens deep — and behind them, golf cars with more visitors angling for a view. The autonomous tractor was especially popular, as it pulled a grain cart for a single pass without losing a single kernel.

Back on the exhibit field, Jungmann says the exhibits themselves really stole the show, with exhibitors putting big efforts into creating beautiful displays. Visitors flocked to see new tractors, the new Morton Buildings house and new grain storage exhibits. 

It takes an army to put on a show of this magnitude, and Jungmann credits law enforcement, emergency medical services, parking officials and more for their work. “There are hundreds and hundreds of people devoted to making the show successful, and we couldn’t do it without them,” he adds. 

Related:For FPS19, it’s the ‘Year of the Tractor’

Next year’s Farm Progress Show will be held Sept. 1-3 in Boone, Iowa. Check out the slideshow below to see photos from this year’s event.

About the Author(s)

Holly Spangler

Senior Editor, Prairie Farmer, Farm Progress

Holly Spangler has covered Illinois agriculture for more than two decades, bringing meaningful production agriculture experience to the magazine’s coverage. She currently serves as editor of Prairie Farmer magazine and Executive Editor for Farm Progress, managing editorial staff at six magazines throughout the eastern Corn Belt. She began her career with Prairie Farmer just before graduating from the University of Illinois in agricultural communications.

An award-winning writer and photographer, Holly is past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. In 2015, she became only the 10th U.S. agricultural journalist to earn the Writer of Merit designation and is a five-time winner of the top writing award for editorial opinion in U.S. agriculture. She was named an AAEA Master Writer in 2005. In 2011, Holly was one of 10 recipients worldwide to receive the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Ag Journalism award. She currently serves on the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation, the U of I Agricultural Communications Advisory committee, and is an advisory board member for the U of I College of ACES Research Station at Monmouth. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association.

Holly and her husband, John, farm in western Illinois where they raise corn, soybeans and beef cattle on 2,500 acres. Their operation includes 125 head of commercial cows in a cow/calf operation. The family farm includes John’s parents and their three children.

Holly frequently speaks to a variety of groups and organizations, sharing the heart, soul and science of agriculture. She and her husband are active in state and local farm organizations. They serve with their local 4-H and FFA programs, their school district, and are active in their church's youth and music ministries.

Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like