Farm and Ranch Show Booth Space Running Out

The South Texas Farm and Ranch Show, the longest-running nonprofit regional farm and ranch show in South Texas, is gearing up for its 30th anniversary. The show will be Oct. 22 and 23 at the Victoria Community Center. Joe Janak, show booth chairman, told the Victoria Advocate the booths are filling up faster than ever before. As of Tuesday, eight booth spaces were available in the minidome, eight in the arena, four outside and four in the portico. Booth prices increase Sept. 1.

The vendor area will feature more than 125 exhibitors, totaling more than 150 booths. Usually, 15 to 20 vendors are from out of state. The exhibitors bring to South Texas the latest information and technology to assist Texas farmers, ranchers, landowners and agribusiness clientele, according to a news release from the show.

The show typically has about $3 million worth of farm and ranch machinery and wares on display, and it usually attracts from 2,000 to 4,000 agriculturally involved people from throughout Texas. Annually, the show features about 25 speakers addressing agricultural issues relevant to current times, with about 10 pesticide continuing education units for farmers and ranchers. Two highlights are the luncheon speakers on each day.

Since 1991, the South Texas Farm and Ranch Show has awarded $138,750 in agricultural scholarships to 135 students in Victoria and surrounding counties. Most scholarships go to youth in surrounding counties.