MITCHELL, Neb.—KNEB hosted the 35th Annual Farm & Ranch Expo on Feb 7th and 8th at the Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds. The event featured various vendors and a team cattle sort.
Kendra Feather, Promotions Director at KNEB, said, “There were just under 90 vendors and we have people from 5 different states.”
These states included Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, Idaho, and Colorado. There were a wide range of vendors including seed producers, insurance brokers, tire suppliers, internet providers, college representatives, and equipment suppliers.
Many booths had demonstrations or samples of their products and services while other had games for the kids such as a treasure hunt and corn hole.
Many of the vendors expressed that educating the public was a goal at this event.

Terry Gass from 21st Century Equipment, said, “Shows like this are more about information.”
 “We have the 4-H commodity carnival here…It’s a simulation game of taking a calf and raising it to an animal ready to market,” said Jana Schwartz, 4-H Extension Assistant. “It’s a fun game. You get to win a cow, but it also has a lesson to it as well.”
Kailey Pinney, Treasurer from the Scottsbluff FFA chapter, not only participated as a vendor, but was able to learn a lot from the event as an agriculture student. “It’s a really good opportunity for us to see the ag industry throughout the Panhandle and make connections with people,” Pinney said.
Many of the vendors praised the event.
Matt Haas, Owner of Plains Insurance Brokers, said, “It’s always a good time. It’s where farmers and ranchers have an opportunity to come out and see what’s going on in the industry, things that would benefit them, but it’s also a good time to interact with fellow farmers and ranchers.
Casey Jagers, Territory Manager at Pioneer, said, “You get to see a lot of different faces and some are current customers and some could potentially be new customers so it’s a good event.”
Gass said, “You gotta be here. You can’t not be here if you’re in business in the area.”
Feather said, “We’ve had lots of good reviews and good attendance.” Feather commented that traffic was steady for both days and that she was looking forward to next year’s event.