The Central Iowa Expo Site held a check presentation on Dec. 12  to officially announce a major contribution to the site near the junction of Highway 30 and Highway 17 between Ames and Boone. The check came from Monsanto.

Monsanto's financial support of $150,000 makes it possible to provide 160 acres of alfalfa to be used for equipment demonstrations during the 2012 Farm Progress Hay Expo at the Central Iowa Expo site in June of 2012. The same acres will then provide parking for the Farm Progress Show in August. The commitment from Monsanto continues to fulfill their corporate focus on agriculture and their promise of supporting Iowa farmers.

Dave Tierney of Monsanto presents the check to Central Iowa Expo president Darrel Rensink

"As a company completely focused on agriculture, we are pleased to make this contribution," says Dave Tierney, Monsanto Corporate Affairs representative. "The Central Iowa Expo's marquee event, The Farm Progress Show, plays a vital role in showcasing the latest agricultural innovations to farmers from across Iowa, the U.S. and around the world. Monsanto's contribution is another way we can support American farmers and, in particular, Iowa agriculture, which plays such an essential role in meeting the needs of a growing world population."

"Monsanto's commitment to central Iowa agriculture makes it possible to attract both of these major agriculture shows to Iowa," says Darrel Rensink, board chair, Central Iowa Expo. "This opportunity will allow us to showcase central Iowa to hundreds of agricultural companies, along with thousands of producers and International guests during 2012."

Farm Progress Hay Expo will be held June 20 and 21 at Central Iowa site

The Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world's natural resources such as water and energy.

The Central Iowa Expo is an exhibition site located just off US Highway 30, about ten miles west of Ames and Interstate 35. The site includes both indoor and outdoor meeting and exhibit space on more than 100 acres, including hard-surface streets, well-drained alfalfa sod parking lots and permanent restrooms. The Central Iowa Expo is the biennial home to the Farm Progress Show and also hosts a variety of other indoor and outdoor events.

The 2012 Farm Progress Hay Expo will be held June 20 and 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by Farm Progress publications, including Wallaces Farmer, the Farm Progress Hay Expo offers an all-encompassing profile of new hay and forage technology, with an extensive exhibit field, the Haying Industries Tent and working equipment demonstrations, including mowing, conditioning, baling, hay handling and silage demonstrations conducted during the two-day event.

The 2012 Farm Progress Show will be held at the Central Iowa Expo site from August 28-30, 2012. The Farm Progress Show is the nation's largest outdoor farm event and hosts more than 500 exhibitors displaying new farm equipment, tractors, combines and farm implements; seed and crop protection products; and many additional farm supplies and services. Each day of the show features a variety of field demos, including side-by-side tillage, GPS and precision equipment, tractor and combine performance comparisons, and live cattle-handling demonstrations. The show also features restored antique machinery, arts and crafts displays, horse training demonstrations and entertainment.