Ag & Home Expo celebrates 10th anniversary

Ten years since its inception, the Antelope County Ag & Home Expo has grown into an annual showcase of agriculture and home improvement businesses from the area. Attendance to the event, planned for March 5 and 6, at the Antelope County Fairgrounds, in Neligh, is free.

Neligh Chamber of Commerce director Sara Borer said the expo educates and informs residents of different services offered in the area, with vendors from Norfolk to O'Neill involved.

"It gives them a chance to visit with vendors to make informed decisions on products and services they may be seeking," Borer said.

Consistency, according to Borer, has been key to the show's success.

"I believe residents and vendors have relied on this event to help provide services and expose their products," Borer said.

One of the most notable changes has been the inclusion of presentations from area experts.

Lauren Sheridan-Simonsen, director of economic development for the City of Neligh, said organizers opted to remove three or four booths to make room for the speaker section.

Topics have included healthy cooking, landscaping, community development, finance, weather, new crops and farming techniques.

"The hours have also been adapted to the time frame we see most people attending the event," Sheridan-Simonsen said.

The 2024 expo will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 5 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 6. Door prizes will be given away hourly. According to Borer, exhibit space is at a premium.

"Waiting lists have had to be made," she said.

More than 50 vendors will be onsite for the event. Nine new vendors taking part in this year's event include Rada Cutlery, Heartland Farms, Dynamic Drainage, Culligan Water, Building Green Structures, CDS Inspections, Midwest Hydroseedings, Midplains Ag and JTK Holiday Lighting.

Farmers and ranchers will be able to peruse a variety of ag displays ranging from implement dealers to irrigation specialists to seed companies.

A variety of vendors will show home and health products, including insurance and financial experts, healthcare specialists, home improvement products, building specialists and more.

Sheridan-Simonsen said a few vendors, including 402 Beef and Juju Bean Coffee, will have products available for sale.

A favorite offering at the expo involves homemade food.

"The partnership with the community center and Sly's Family Bar & Grill for restaurant-quality food and baked goods has also been a big improvement," Sheridan-Simonsen said.

The Neligh Community Center will offer rolls and a selection of homemade pies.

Sly's Family Bar and Grill, in Neligh, will run the lunch stand in the fair building. Teresa Legate, owner of the Neligh establishment said shaved prime rib, sloppy joes, BBQ pulled pork and BBQ rib sandwiches will be served. Chips and homemade salads will be available as side dishes.

The expo will offer four free educational sessions.

Classes on Tuesday include:

• 11 a.m. - Leigh Alexander will discuss inspections for energy savings and healthy homes. Alexander is co-owner of CDS Inspections & Beyond, Inc., of Plainview.

• 2 p.m. - Steve Pellatz, of Common Sense Ag Solutions, in Royal, will present a session on carbon and biological effects.

Wednesday classes include:

• 11 a.m., Rachel Uhrenholdt, of Midplains Produce, will present, Local Food is Delicious and Important. Uhrenholdt owns the Elgin-based business.

• 2 p.m. - Dr. Josh Thoendel, of Antelope Memorial Hospital, will speak about cancer screenings. His presentation will take a what-you-need-to-know approach.