Weekend exposition focuses on ag

An exposition related to the Hi-Line's largest industry is scheduled for this weekend.

Ag Expo 2003, sponsored by the Havre Daily News, will bring speakers and businesses to the Hill County Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday.

"I thing it's a great asset to the community," said Amber Newton of the Daily News advertising staff, who is organizing the event.

Newton said the speakers will be informative and entertaining, and that valuable information related to agriculture will be provided by businesses and community groups at the fairgrounds' Commercial Building.

The plan is to make the ag expo an annual event, she added.

Havre Daily News publisher Harvey Brock said he intends to continue sponsoring events as opportunities present themselves. The Havre Daily News sponsored and organized Woman to Woman, an exposition focusing on women's issues, last spring.

"It was a huge success," Brock said. "We plan next year to make it bigger and better."

Brock said the Daily News is sponsoring the events to allow merchants and community groups to showcase the products and services they offer.

Ag Expo 2003 is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

The first speaker, at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, will be Pat Torgeson of Women in Farm Economics. She will give a presentation about Lewis and Clark, Newton said.

Torgeson also made a presentation at Woman to Woman, dressed in costume of a farmer from the Lewis and Clark era.

Brett Borst of Milk River Archery will give an archery demonstration at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Van Jamieson of Helena, representing National Renewable Energy Resources, will give a presentation at 1:30 p.m. Saturday about using renewable energy sources like wind energy.

Lisa Cowan, who ranches south of Havre, will give a cooking demonstration Sunday at 1 p.m., followed at 2 p.m. by a presentation by Gregg Carlson, interim superintendent of the Northern Agricultural Resource Center.

Torgeson will perform her presentation again at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Newton said there will be displays both in the Commercial Building and outside on the fairgrounds.

Booths in the building will feature representatives and displays of businesses ranging from telephone services to real estate and farm equipment.

Agricultural machinery and equipment will be on display outside the building. Registration for a drawing for half a pig will be held during the event. Newton said the winner will be announced in the Havre Daily News.