News: Clark Co. - Farm Tech Days (2022)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Rueth, Roehl, Malm

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/20/2022

Farm Tech Days Draws 43K-Plus (2022)



Shown is a bird’s eye view of the Wisconsin Farm Technology Days grounds on the second day of the event, July 13. Clark County hosted the event featuring agricultural product vendors, field demonstrations, livestock demonstrations, speeches, entertainment and much more.

Submitted photo

By Valorie Brecht

Just like that, the big event of the summer in Clark County has come and gone. Wisconsin Farm Technology Days took place along Highway K just south of Loyal and by all accounts was a success.

The event drew approximately 43,000 to 45,000 paid customers last week. That number doesn’t include the vendors, volunteers and VIP pass holders who received free admission. There were about 15,000 customers on July 12; about 20,000 on July 13; and between 10,000 and 12,000 on July 14.

“We expected 40,000, so we’re way ahead,” said Chuck Rueth, chairperson of the Farm Tech Days executive committee. “We’re very, very pleased with how it turned out.”

The 2022 count exceeded that of the 2018 show held in Wood County just outside of Marshfield on County Highway H. That show drew approximately 42,220 people.

This year’s event was hosted by Dennis and Suzie Roehl of the Roehl Acres dairy farm and Doug and Kim Roehl, who operate the Rustic Occasions event barn.

The last time Clark County hosted the show was 2005 at the Robert and Mitch Malm farm north of Loyal. Rueth was heavily involved in that show as well and said that attendance for the 2022 show topped the 2005 show.

“They were both close. Both were over 40,000 but this one was more,” he said.

In addition to the daily attendance, new this year was a Wednesday night concert dubbed Farm Tech Fest. That was capped at 4,000 tickets and it sold out. Joe Nichols, Sawyer Brown and Madison County performed to an enthusiastic crowd just south of the main event grounds. There were three areas of seating: general admission, front stage and “VIP,” which consisted of a wine and food tent, private parking and seating, and front row access.

Each day was sunny with temperatures in the upper 70s. The only rain showers came Tuesday afternoon after the show had closed for the day.

More than 500 unique exhibitors set up shop in “tent city,” many of them businesses serving the agriculture industry, but also a variety of local organizations.

“The vendors were very, very pleased. I did not hear one complaint from them. They thought it was the best show in probably 15 years,” said Rueth.

He also said the food tents operated efficiently.

“There were no lines to speak of. People were in and out. It ran smoothly,” he said.

He spoke highly of the large volunteer crew that came together to make this event possible. Approximately 1,200 to 1,400 volunteers worked to prep the site ahead of time, mow and trim the grounds, take care of garbage and recycling, drive golf carts, collect admission fees, lead barn tours, run the food tents, clean and many other tasks.

“It was a well-oiled machine. All of our volunteers did a good job and stepped up to the plate. We had some who were only going to volunteer for four hours the first day and after that they decided, ‘I’m going to come back and help the other two days.’ People really want to showcase our county, and that’s what it’s all about,” said Rueth.

Volunteers who worked in the food tents or as parking attendants are expected to receive approximately $10 per hour to go toward the nonprofit or community group of their choice. After those hours have been paid out, the executive committee plans to issue grants with any remaining funds.

After three years of planning, Rueth was happy to see such a successful event.

“We are very fortunate to live in the county we do. We’re all neighbors; that’s what this is all about,” he said.

The 2023 show will be at the Baraboo Steam and Gas Engine Grounds. Chippewa County will host the 2024 show.

Ready for the ‘Moo’sic



“Polly the Hay Bale Cow” sits ready to greet visitors coming to Farm Tech Fest, a large country music concert was happening in conjunction with Farm Tech Days just outside of Loyal last week.

Nancy Curtin/Clark County Press

For more coverage of Farm Tech Days, check out the rest of this week’s Press.