The host farmers provide the land that makes the Farm Progress Show possible. This year’s host families for the show on the permanent biennial site near Boone, Iowa, include Eric and Carol Ziel; June Isaacson and her son, Dick; Alan and Jennifer Schoff; Gene and Karyl Jones; and Kim Uthe. Land owned by these families is used for parking and field demonstrations.

This is the sixth time these folks have hosted the show, held every other year in Iowa at the Boone site. The first show at Boone was in 2008.

How has the show changed in 10 years?
The host farmers point out the upgrades such as hard-surfaced roads, improved drainage and permanent restrooms on the showgrounds. And more exhibitors have built buildings to replace their tents.

Machinery on display and used in field demonstrations has grown bigger and smarter. Demos may show a fleet of 16 tech-driven combines harvesting corn. More new technology has been introduced; most of the exhibits and products at the show now have digital technology as part of their presentation.

For the Ziels, a big change occurred this summer. On June 30, they held an auction and sold their large collection of antique and rare tractors.

There were 132 tractors auctioned. At past Farm Progress Shows, there were always receptions, an open house for people to view the extensive collection of tractors and antique stationary engines.

The last open house attracted around 700 people. The Ziels kept 12 of their favorite tractors from the collection. That’s not counting the newer, modern tractors they use for farming.

Eric had been collecting rare tractors for more than 25 years. His favorites are Olivers, Minneapolis-Moline and just about any high-crop tractor. He also had Case, IH and some unusual brands such as Porsche.

The Isaacsons
June Isaacson turned 91 years old in late June. She attends the show regularly and is amazed by the new technology she’s seen in products and equipment exhibited at the show. A family member drives June around the show in a golf car so she can see the exhibits and the machinery.

“It’s been fascinating to be one of the show hosts, to live next door to the show and to visit the exhibits,” she says.

June and her late husband, Warren, were dairy farmers, milking cows for 27 years; she’s lived on the farm for 71 years.

The Isaacson family farm is east of the exhibit area. June lives on the farm, which has been in the family since the late 1930s when it was purchased by her husband’s grandfather, Gustav Anderson. June and Warren moved to the farm in 1970, when Warren’s mother relocated to the city of Boone. Warren passed away in 1992.

ISAACSON FAMILY: From left are April and Ben, with daughter Ella and twin sons Westin and Brennan; Dick and June (in center), and Judy and Andy.

June’s son, Dick, grew up in Boone County and now owns Agri Management Services in Marion with his oldest son, Ben. They focus on farm management, rural appraisals and farm real estate.

Dick and his wife, Judy, live in Coggon, where they are active in the community and their church. Ben and his wife, April, live on an acreage near Anamosa. April stays home raising their twin sons Westin and Brennan, along with baby sister Ella.

Ben and April are active in local and volunteer activities. Dick and Judy’s youngest son, Andy, lives in California.

The Isaacsons have strong connections to Iowa State Uni-versity. Both Warren and June worked for ISU, and Judy worked for ISU Extension for 38 years. Dick, Judy and their sons are all ISU graduates.

The Schoffs
Alan Schoff has been farming over 32 years, growing corn and soybeans. He also works at Ames Community Schools as the district carpenter.

Alan is a lifetime FFA alumni member and Boone County fair board member. Jennifer is employed by Boone County hospital as a certified medical assistant, and both Jennifer and Alan are employed by Boone First United Methodist Church as directors of discipleship and family ministries.

SCHOFF FAMILY: From left are Jennifer, Alan, Jentry, Sarah, Jacob and Jaxon.

Alan and Jennifer have three children: Jacob, 23, works at Wells Fargo and 3M Security and lives in Ames with girlfriend Sarah Clark; Jentry, 16, is a junior at Ames High; and Jaxon, 14, is a freshman.

The Schoffs live a few miles east of the show site, on the fourth-generation homestead. Alan and Jennifer stay busy managing their boys’ activities, the family farm and their off-farm jobs. As a family, they enjoy camping, traveling and spending time together.

The Ziels
Eric Ziel raises corn, soybeans and hay, and is part owner of AgInPuts, a local retail business providing seed, fertilizer, ag chemicals and application. Eric’s wife, Carol, worked in research microbiology for 34 years, before retiring from ISU.

The Ziels have committed about 340 acres to the show site. Of this, they sold 100 acres to Central Iowa Expo for the exhibit field.

This is the farm Eric grew up on. Some of the ground, including the exhibit field, has been in the family since 1934, farmed by his grandparents Wallace and Gladys Samuelson and his parents, Robert and Marilyn Ziel. The Ziels also donated 10 acres to Boone County for a paved road south of the site.

Eric and Carol’s daughter Jennifer works in Des Moines for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, while her husband, Patrick, is self-employed and operates Graham Management and Promotions. The Ziels’ older daughter, Erica; her husband, Brent; and their children, Morgan, Reece and Piper, also live in the area.

Erica is a personal trainer and Pilates instructor. She specializes in pre- and postnatal fitness and rehabilitation training. She also has produced several fitness DVDs. Brent is a fire safety instructor at Des Moines Area Community College.