(Top) Desiree Molyneux, outreach counselor at California State University, Fresno, at the university’s booth inside the Hilvers Career and Education Center at the World Ag Expo.  The center is a one-stop place for employers and potential employees, in addition to high school and junior high students looking to enroll in a four-year university.

(Bottom) David Althaus, manager of shows and events for John Deere, points out the features of a 332 D skid steer loader on the grounds of the expo.

Tulare, CA (Feb. 8, 2010) - The 2010 World Ag Expo begins tomorrow, showcasing many of the top products and machinery in the agricultural world.

“World Ag Expo is not a showroom type trade show,” said CEO Jerry Sinift.  “We’re a down in the dirt, roll up your sleeves, working kind of a show, where you can really get hands-on experience about how to make your operation better.”

Every year the expo has something new to offer and delight attendees.   New this year is the Seminar Center, which groups all of the seminars in one location with décor that includes flowers and trees.  Topics include dairy, general agriculture, hay and forage, international trade, and irrigation.

1,200 volunteers and about 20 staff members help make the expo happen every year at the International Agri-Center.  Unlike other agricultural shows, Sinift said, services such as forklift drivers unloading your product or electrical services are offered for free.  Also, products and machinery are viewable on show grounds that might not be seen in many more places.  

“At World Ag Expo you see all kinds of things, things I have no idea what they do,” Sinift said.  “So that’s the unique thing about World Ag Expo and our environment here, a lot of diversity.”

Education is also valued at the expo, which thinks highly of groups such as Future Farmers of America and Ag in the Classroom.  Another new addition this year is the Hilvers Career and Education Center, an ideal place where employers can look for employees and potential employees can find jobs.  It also helps junior college and high school students with details on how to get into a four-year university.  Many colleges have booths in the center.

Also, in keeping with the focus on education, two students, Cassie Scot Miner and Richard Sholander both won $10,000 scholarships to four-year universities this morning.

As part of tradition, each year a new chairman is selected to represent the expo.  This year’s chairman is Bernie Cargle, who had been with C&H out of Wisconsin for about 40 years.

“It’s a great family out here,” Cargle said.  “Everybody kind of works together.  I can’t tell you how much a pleasure it has been being the 2010 chairman.”



Check out BusinessStreetOnline.com tomorrow from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. for a live webcast from the World Ag Expo, sponsored by Avakian Insurance Services and SeeItRealty.com.

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