Fifth annual ag and home expo begins Tuesday

Four guest speakers will highlight the fifth annual Antelope County Ag and Home Expo, which begins Tuesday, March 3 and continues Wednesday, March 4, at the Antelope County Fairgrounds in Neligh.

Al Dutcher, associate Nebraska state climatologist, will discuss climatology trends, Tuesday, at 11 a.m.

Two Rivers Irrigation is sponsoring the presentation.

At 2 p.m., State Farm-Melissa Smith will present Brad Griffin, a retirement income certified professional and financial advisor.

Griffin will speak about maximizing Social Security, alternatives to long-term care insurance, creating guaranteed lifetime income and estate equalization techniques.

University of Nebraska Extension educator Glennis McClure is scheduled to talk at 11 a.m., Wednesday.

The farm and ranch management analyst will present "What's it Costing You to Produce?," sponsored by Heritage Bank.

Former Nebraska Sen. Mike Flood will present Northeast Nebraska Growing Together, Wednesday, at 2 p.m.

The Neligh office of economic development and Neligh Chamber of Commerce are hosting Flood's talk.

Event organizers said the addition of speakers is a way to provide a variety of educational topics relevant to agriculture, economic growth and finance for community members.

Organizers believe it will draw more people to attend the expo.

Attendees will have an opportunity to visit 56 booths, representing a variety of businesses.

Sly's Family Bar and Grill will serve food during the event. Neligh Senior Center will offer homemade pie and cinnamon rolls.

In 2015, area business owners and Neligh Chamber of Commerce members saw a need for an ag and home show.

The addition of a new building at the fairgrounds offered a facility large enough to host the event, which has drawn approximately 800 visitors in past years.

Organizers said attendance for last year's event was down, although even with blizzard conditions, approximately 600 people attended the event.

The event begins at 10 a.m. and continues until 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Doors will open at 10 a.m., Wednesday, with the expo set to close at 6 p.m.

The ag and home expo is sponsored by the Neligh Chamber of Commerce and the Antelope County Ag Society.