Improvements and changes are in store for the upcoming 2018 SC AgriBiz & Farm Expo set for Jan. 17-18 at the newly expanded Florence Civic Center with more grower educational opportunities, new exhibits and free admission all lined up.

“Most farmers in the Carolinas had great yields and an excellent harvest this year. They certainly needed this after all the storms and weather trouble we saw in 2015 and 2016. Farmers are optimistic and hopeful as they plan for their 2018 crop and the expo has been revamped to make it a must attend event for all farmers,” says Jody Martin, executive director of the expo.

One important change, Martin says, is the addition of national and regional keynote speakers that will address key issues facing agriculture in the year ahead. Topics discussed will include the future of agriculture, the 2018 farm bill and an ag economic outlook.

Also new in 2018 will be joint presentations by Dr. Ron Heiniger, the well-known North Carolina State University Extension cropping systems specialist, and Kevin Matthews, a Yadkin County, N.C. farmer who has received national attention for achieving top corn and soybean yields. The two experts will make two presentations on Thursday, Jan. 18 “Soybeans that Yield Like Corn – Starting Right and Finishing Strong” and “Amazing Corn Yields – Achieving the Impossible by Meeting Plant Needs.”

The expo kicks off with a special farmer appreciation breakfast on Wednesday, Jan. 17. The highly popular “Taste of SC” is set for the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 17.  On Thursday, Jan. 18 at 8 a.m., South Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers will host the “Commissioners Breakfast Fund Raiser” to benefit the Commissioner’s School for Agriculture.

A new addition in 2018 will be a Women in Ag track on Thursday, Jan. 18, focusing on the empowerment of women in the industry. Young farmers will also be a key focus of the Expo with leaders in the South Carolina Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers program presenting “Next Generation of Farmers Embrace Technology.” Sessions for fruit and vegetable growers and presentations on improving soil health will also be part of the expo.

“We cordially invite all farmers in North Carolina and South Carolina and other states to attend the expo. It will be a great opportunity to network and plan for the year ahead,” Martin says.

For more information, access the SC AgriBiz Expo website at http://scagribizexpo.com/