FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 3, 2008

For more information contact:
Cindy Garretson-Weibel
Agribusiness Division Director
Wyoming Business Council
Office: 307.777.6589

Tom Lacock
Senior Marketing and Public Relation Specialist
Wyoming Business Council
Office: 307.777.2834

Winter Ag Expo offers bales, bovine, implements and innovation

CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Business Council’s Agribusiness Division is sponsoring the second annual Winter Ag Expo Jan. 7-9 in Douglas. The 2008Expo brings together four events, which have all been held at different times and locations in the past, thereby showcasing Wyoming agriculture in one large venue.

Bales and Bovines kicks off the Expo at the state fairgrounds in Douglas on Jan. 7. The trade show features a hay contest, ag implement and equipment displays, commercial exhibits as well as a pen show for Wyoming cattle producers to display their genetics. The event runs from noon on Jan. 7 through Jan. 8 and admission is free. Display space is available for both cattle producers and anyone interested in booth or equipment display space.

Roping the Wind is a free conference focusing on wind energy and energy conservation opportunities for Wyoming landowners. The conference will be held at the state fairgrounds in Douglas from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. on Jan. 7 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 8. Steve Ellenbecker from the Governor’s Office will be one of about 12 speakers to take the podium. He will give an update on efforts to put renewable energy on the western grid.

The fourth-annual Ag-based Innovative Marketing Expo (AIMe) is slated for Jan. 8 at the Best Western Douglas Inn, starting at 8:30 a.m. The AIMe conference will feature speakers who have found innovative ways to diversify their agricultural trades. There will be sessions dealing with niche marketing livestock and crops; ag tourism; choosing marketing models and biofuel production in Wyoming. Cost for the event is $65 and includes lunch.

The Farmers’ Market Conference concludes the Winter Ag Expo with a two-tract conference - one for market managers from around Wyoming and a second for market vendors. Breakout sessions will cover topics like organic certification and management practices. There is a $35 cost per person and will include an awards presentation and Wyoming Farmers’ Market Association annual meeting.

For more information on the Expo, contact Wyoming Business Council Agribusiness Division Marketing Information Specialist Terri Barr at 307.777.2807 or terri.barr@wybusiness.org. Information on the Expo can also be found at www.wyomingagexpo.com.

The mission of the Wyoming Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.wyomingbusiness.org.
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