The 2024 Colusa Farm Show, a playground for those in the agriculture industry, opened for its three-day run under clear skies on Tuesday, and wrapped up on Thursday after just one day of rain. 

COLUSA, CA (MPG) - Another Colusa Farm Show is in the books after the 2024 exposition saw a mix of clear skies and rain.

Despite an atmospheric river blowing through Northern California just days before the Colusa Farm Show, the sun came out Feb. 6, as if on cue.

On the second day, it rained.

“It would not be a Colusa Farm Show without at least one day of rain,” said Casey Ryan, standards officer for the Colusa County Air Pollution Control District, at an informational booth hosted by the Agriculture Department.

Napa Auto welcomes Colusa Farm Show visitors inside the Main Exhibit Building of the Colusa County Fairgrounds.

Billed as the “granddaddy” of farm trade shows on the west coast, the Colusa Farm Show brought the usual flood of visitors through the gates of the Colusa County Fairgrounds to learn about the latest in farm equipment and agriculture-related services.

“I could say I came to win a Yeti,” joked Jake Robinson, of Oroville. “But I actually came hoping to get a good deal on an orchard shredder.”

Robinson said he was greeted well at the Colusa Farm Show by manufacturers and retailers of all kinds of farm equipment but was most impressed with Orchard Machinery Corporation’s new E-limb-inator.

“And E does not stand for electric,” Robinson said, noting the unique design of a machine built to chew through large limbs and carries with it 140 gallons of diesel fuel, 15 gallons of diesel emissions fluid, and 160 gallons of hydraulic oil. “I just don’t think we are there yet with electric farm equipment. Maybe someday.”

The three-day run of the Colusa Farm Show provided one-stop shopping for all farm equipment and services. 

The 59th annual Colusa Farm Show provided one-stop shopping for all farm service needs.

Combines, tractors, shakers, scrapers, tillers, mowers, risers, along with farm and sport vehicles were just some of the equipment on display outdoors. Farm credit and banking services, nursery and seed suppliers, water, soil and conservation experts, insurance agencies, utility building manufacturers, and other service providers filled all four exhibit buildings.

While many people came to the show for specific services, quite a few came for the camaraderie of seeing old friends, neighbors, and others in the agriculture industry.

Many came for the hand-outs, fundraisers, and “Fair-Food,” such as popcorn and corndogs, which has become a staple at the Colusa Farm Show.

For a $5 donation to Friends of the Colusa County Animal Shelter, Napa Auto Parts handed out 5-gallon buckets and hats.

It was the second year Napa has held the fundraiser for FOCCAS and it was going well just hours into the first day, said Napa Representative Pedro Palacios.

And because the Farm Show is about showcasing products, Palacios worked alongside Josh Mendoza, a representative for Milwaukee products, a company that, a century ago, invented the “hole punch,” the predecessor of the modern-day drill, and became the first tool manufacturer to use modern lithium-ion technology.

“We started with our corded power tools, but we are now known for battery-power,” Mendoza said. “We actually hold the patent on lithium and batteries for power tools. We can get the same amount of power from 18 volts where most are going to 40 or 60, simply because we have been doing it for so long.”

The Farm Show was also an educational stomping ground for children and youth.

Future farmer Brandt Perry, 2, of Colusa, gets the feel of a new John Deere Tractor at the 2024 Colusa Farm Show, on Feb. 8. 

“We came to get more experience in agriculture,” said Cheyenne Smith, 16, a member of Lower Lake High School FFA, one of many schools that attended the show during its three-day run. “We’re seeing a lot of farm equipment for newer generations. It’s a community coming together with a lot of businesses, who are here to talk about what they are here for and what they do.”

Emily Allard, 16, also of Lower Lake FFA, said the Colusa Farm Show is a reflection on the endurance of the agriculture industry.

“We’ve seen a lot of future potential for agriculture and what future generations will have to face and learn about,” Allard said.

The Farm Show wrapped up Thursday, Feb. 8, again to clear skies.

Vendors, who came from as far aways as Saskatchewan, Canada, said the show was once again a success and they would be looking forward to returning next year.