Visitors to the Husker Harvest Days show site are inundated with a range of great new ideas and tools for the farm. What many visitors may not know is how valuable the local community is for success of the event, and how the event benefits local groups.

This is a kind of win-win for the show and the groups —they get an opportunity to raise funds, and we get support. From parking cars to flipping burgers or working information booths, the show is run by the community. And visitors are interacting with folks from the local area.

This show has always been at this location near Grand Island, Neb., so returning groups know their role, where to go and what to do. Many of our food vendors have permanent buildings and facilities. And for visitors, that means experienced chefs have made you lunch, and there’s plenty from which to choose. There’s always a little turnover in the groups, but for Husker Harvest Days, it’s an important experience.

Adding to the show

For 2020, we’ll be adding a hemp area, where farmers can learn more about the potential for this crop. This exhibit will include marketing opportunities and give you an overview of the kinds of products that use hemp.

Last year, we added seminars in our cattle handling area, and that was a hit. You’ll see more emphasis on cattle than ever before in 2020, so you'll want to check the website — HuskerHarvestDays.com — to keep up with what’s happening as the show nears.

Another change this year will be the impact of the agricultural mergers. That will alter the familiar Husker Harvest Days site map, which, if you’re a longtime visitor, will mean spending a little more time with the map.

And this site, which underwent a significant upgrade in 2018 is really “grown-in” and show-ready this year. Grass is growing on the lots, and you’ll find it an even more established site. With the new roads and other added facilities, we’ve created a world-class facility for visitors.

Husker Harvest Days is always the week after Labor Day week, and Labor Day is late this year. This means Husker Harvest Days runs Sept. 15-17. Mark your calendars.

Keep up with what’s happening at the show by checking out the show website, HuskerHarvestDays.com. For quicker updates, follow the show on Facebook and Twitter. And we’ll have an updated show app midyear to help you plan your visit. Make plans to join us in Grand Island.

Jungmann is events manager for Informa/Farm Progress, owner of Husker Harvest Days.