Van Wert farm show sponsors are calling it quits

8/7/2004

VAN WERT, Ohio - After closing out the 30th Farm Focus agriculture show last week, organizers have decided to call it quits.

Citing poor attendance and unpredictable weather conditions, the board of directors voted Thursday night to end northwest Ohio's only trade show for farmers.

Farm Focus began in 1974 and featured an appearance by then-U.S. Agriculture Secretary Earl Butz. Ann Veneman, the current agriculture secretary, spoke at this year's event, but organizers said the show was attracting fewer exhibitors and fewer farmers in recent years.