Toronto's Farm Show; Focusing on the future: Innovation and youth

The curtain is about to rise, launching this year's edition of the Canadian International Farm Equipment Show (CIFES) in Mississauga.

While theshow promises an exciting line-up of new product launches and jampacked seminar schedules, the show is breaking new ground this year with a host of new career and technology initiatives.

A bold new undertaking planned for the final day is the Agricultural Career Day, a collaborative effort of CIFES and Ontario Agri- Food Education (OAFE). Today's constantly changing agricultural industry offers many dynamic employment opportunities beyond primary agricultural production, including the constantly evolving areas of food and life sciences. A special daylong educational program has been developed to showcase the industry's diversity to visiting rural and urban senior high school students.

Lorna Wilson, OAFE's volunteer and membership coordinator, commented OAFE is pleased to team up with CIFES to develop this new educational youth program. "Students and teachers will be able to further understand the vast array of agricultural opportunities available to this emerging young workforce," she said.

The extensive exhibitor network at the show will provide many excellent opportunities for the students to actively engage with potential employers. Beverly Leavitt, president and CEO of the Canada East Equipment Dealers' Association (CEEDA), is enthused about the opportunity for students to meet with industry exhibitors. Scheduled as one of the program speakers, Leavitt pans to focus on employment opportunities within her industry.

"What we have found is that a lot of people don't understand the tremendous number of career choices that are available in the equipment industry today," she said.

In addition to the chance to meet face-to-face with industry representatives, students will also have the opportunity to use an interactive module that illustrates the broad spectrum of attractive positions available in today's dynamic agricultural industry.

Kathryn Doane, business development manager for AgCareers.com and the youth program luncheon speaker, said food is the common but important link that industry can use to engage young people in discussions about possible career opportunities.

"Strategies need to be developed to target and market to young people so that they can relate the food they eat to potential, new career opportunities," she commented.

Interest in the program is strong and spots are still available for interested schools to participate. Registration includes complimentary CIFES admission and lunch. To register or obtain program information, visit www.oafe.org or the CIFES's official Web site, www.torontofarmshow.com

For young people, aged 18 to 39 seeking an interactive and hands-on-experience at this year's show, the Ultimate Junior Farmers' Challenge will offer four individual tasks involving the new dynamics of farming in the 21st century. Interested individuals can register on-line at www.jfao.on.ca or www.torontofarmshow.com

As always, the muchanticipated tradition of the Toronto Farm Show is the release of the commemorative collectible toy tractor. For the 2008 edition, the Farmall 400 tractor with 33A loader will join the collections of toy tractor enthusiasts.

First introduced in the early 1920s, the all-purpose Farmall tractors were the first row-crop tractors to hit the market, giving farm operators unequalled maneuverability and clearance for the cultivation of row crops, in combination with the versatility to attach a variety of implements

The Farmall 400 series tractors were built between 1946 and 1956, giving farm operators new versatility and convenience because of the exclusive Torque Amplifier. The heart of the Torque Amplifier was a precisionmade planetary gear unit that gave operators ten speeds forward and two in reverse. Available only at the show, the 2008 limited edition CIFES toy tractor retails for $70.

Visitors are encouraged to drop by the Antique Tractor Display (Hall 4A) at 1 p.m. each show day for the return of the popular live auction, featuring products donated by farm show exhibitors. The proceeds from this year's auction will benefit the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

The show runs from Feb. 5 to Feb. 7 at the International Centre, at 6900 Airport Rd., Mississauga. The show opens daily at 9 a.m. with doors closing at 4:30 p.m. Adult admittance is $10 with a $15-off coupon from your local agricultural dealer or by on-line purchase. Admission at the door is $25 per person with children under 12 free. Free parking is available on site.

For on-line tickets, schedules and information, visit www.torontofarmshow.com