Today I had the privilege of climbing to the top of a five story Sukup grain storage bin to get a bird’s eye, 360 degree view of the grounds of the Progress City. Standing high above the crowd I could see and snap photos of the record crowds and all of the exhibits and activities going on below me. Although I was shaking the whole way up the staircase, due to my fear of heights, I tried to capture the energy and beautiful weather we have had this week.
It was pretty spectacular to look over the entire expanse of the site after walking ground level up and down the streets on foot or riding in a golf cart – or the New Holland Rustler! I was very impressed with the effort put forth by the exhibitors, the beautiful landscaping and how each exhibit seemed to be more inviting than the next.
Even though I have been exposed to agriculture all of my life because of my parents’ careers, I guess I never knew how really interesting it is. Chatting with my parents about how the corn fields look and what chemicals they use on them is not usually in our everyday conversation!
I have learned so much about corn and soybeans and yield and machinery these past couple of days, I have a new appreciation for the people who produce the food that I eat every day. Farming is pretty darn hard work and a lot more complicated than most people probably think.
The weather really has been incredibly beautiful – everyone says it is the best weather they have ever had for the show. No rain, no excessive heat, not brutally cold. Is this Progress City or Panama City? If it will be like this again next year, sign me up!
Check out more of my bird’s eye view photos on the Farm Progress Show Photo Album
AgWired coverage of the 2009 Farm Progress Show
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It’s looking like a record breaking Farm Progress Show and to learn more about how it’s going I spoke with Jeff Lapin, President, 
World champion soybean grower Kip Cullers is sharing the stage with three other award-winning corn and/or soybean grower in the 
We had a very enjoyable day two morning out here at the Farm Progress Show. AgWired Live TV ran for hours and we had lots of viewers coming and going! I’m taking a break and going back to the hotel shortly to work on some of the photos, video and audio interviews that we’ve conducted. Let’s just say it’s been very busy around the media tent and working with our sponsors.
The decidedly more low-key and down to earth Gov. Quinn rolled up his shirt sleeves and paid a visit to “The World’s Fair of Agriculture” on Tuesday, strolling through the site and holding a press conference at the New Holland media tent. “I have been so impressed by the energy, the enthusiasm and the turnout here at the Farm Progress Show,” the governor said. “This is the first time I have been here as governor of Illinois. I understand our state, when it comes to growing the economy, it starts with agriculture.”
Corn growers nationwide are represented here at the Farm Progress Show by the Illinois Corn Growers Association. New ICGA representative 
Hey AgChat fans. We had a tweetup today in the Country Financial tent this afternoon and many of us who have only communicated via Twitter got to meet face to face for the first time. Here’s most of our group.
This evening AgChat was moderated live from our hotel, Decatur Conference Center, and a number of AgChatters showed up in a room where we had good internet access.
Still, Kixor is the new star of the BASF exhibit at the FPS09, complementing the company’s powerhorse fungicide Headline. Kixor product manager Mike Hofer says they are getting to really talk with growers in the Midwest to show them the new class of chemistry to control broadleaf weeds in a wide range of crops. “Of local interest has been mare’s tail,” Mike says. “The family of products powered by Kixor is very effective from a burndown perspective on mare’s tail.”
ZimmComm New Media is live and on location at the Farm Progress Show. We’ll have a live feed up a lot of the time. We’re mainly focusing on the press conferences when we can.