The 73rd Mid-South Farm and Gin Show is scheduled for Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, Tennessee. It features cutting-edge technology, educational seminars, 4-H competition and more. Exhibitors from across the United States will display the latest machinery and equipment, technology and new products and services, representing all Mid-South crops.
Tim Price, show manager and executive vice president of show sponsor Southern Cotton Ginners Association, said the show gives attendees an opportunity to see what’s new and gain information critical to farmers and agribusiness.
“Seventy-three years ago, the first Mid-South Farm and Gin Show in Memphis debuted as an educational exhibit, where industry experts could provide their perspectives on what the next year may bring,” he said. “The Show will have over 300 exhibitors with 25% being new exhibitors! This highlights the continuing innovation of products and services in the agribusiness to help farmers cope and improve their capabilities and efficiency in an environment that demands continuing evaluation and adaption.”
Ag Update Seminars
Over the years, as agriculture has changed, so has the show. Many segments have been added, including Ag Update seminars featuring market outlooks for cotton and grains, and a broader forecast on issues impacting agriculture.
Price said 2025 is likely to present more challenges and changes farmers will need to address. “There’s something new every day for farmers to integrate in their operations, and we’re faced with navigating a changing environment for the best outcomes of our operations,” he said.
“Farmers are some of the most resilient people, able to adapt and innovate in challenging environments. The 2025 Mid-South Farm and Gin Show will bring it all together in terms of helping attendees understand the far-reaching impacts of geo-political events, federal regulations, and other issues, as well as provide outlooks for the year ahead.”
Ag Update seminars on Friday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, March 1, will provide outlooks for cotton and grains. Joe Nicosia, of Louis-Dreyfus, will headline Friday’s seminar, giving attendees direction on planting and marketing their cotton crop.
Saturday’s seminar features Richard Brock, Brock Associates, who will deliver an outlook for grains and economic policies that may impact agriculture. Both seminars start at 8:30 a.m. in the Cannon Center.
Other Educational Programs Scheduled
Many educational opportunities also exist outside the Ag Update seminars, Price noted.
■ An international trade forum, with AgriCenter International, University of Tennessee, Tennessee Department of Agriculture and others, will feature speakers and industry experts focusing on international trade issues and their impact on farmers and agriculture.
■ AgLaunch uses a farm-centric innovation platform to bring new ideas to agriculture. It will conduct a workshop where individuals and businesses pitch their ideas to the AgLaunch panel in hopes of winning funding to further develop their idea and take it to market.
■ A special rice marketing seminar will help rice growers understand the dynamics of rice marketing and the opportunities available.
“All-in-all, we combine under one roof, an array of so much needed information — not to mention the farmer-to-farmer and farmer-to-exhibitors exchange, which is a well-known part of the Show’s history,” Price said.
The Mid-South Farm and Gin Show is sponsored by the Southern Cotton Ginners Association and Foundation. Show hours are Friday, Feb. 28, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, March 1, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A shuttle bus service from The Peabody, Doubletree and other downtown hotels to Convention Center will be available both days.
The popular Saturday night Jamboree (adults only) begins at 9 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at the Peabody Hotel. Music will be provided by The Krackerjacks — the party band of the South.
More information about the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show is available at www.farmandginshow.com.