Free Admission
Welcome
Get ready for spring!
Whether you’re an ag producer or homeowner, it’s time to get excited about warmer days and growing good things.
The 3rd annual Farm City Ag & Home Expo brings together vendors demonstrating new products and servicesto help you get started on this year’s projects. Enjoy a stroll through the booths, grab a bite to eat and a refreshing drink from one of our food/ drink vendors from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday or 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.
Plan to take in one of our classes offered by our wonderful local organizations. Friday is our Ag Day and the classes are offering 3 Oregon and Washington Pesticide Credits
Saturday is our family fun day! We will offer classes on Composting, Soil, Herbs, Cooking and more! There will be a Kid’s Safety Zone, Pet Adoption, and much more!
The East Oregonian, Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center, and Oregon State University Extension are proud to partner together to continue this event in our community, and look forward to seeing you there!
Friday, March 7 Class Schedule
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Weed Identification of Grasses and Broadleaves
Dr. Steve VanVleet, Agronomist, McGregor Company
This talk will focus on the identification of 40 common grass and broadleaf weeds, with an emphasis on distinguishing difficult-to-identify species at various growth stages—seedling, juvenile, and mature. Attendees will learn how to recognize key morphological features that differentiate grass and broadleaf weeds, even when they are in their early or juvenile stages. The session will include visual aids for identification, followed by an engaging audience quiz to test participants’ knowledge and reinforce learning.
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Update on Fusarium Head Blight and Stripe Rust
Dr. Christina Hagerty, OSU Plant Pathologist
This talk will explore the life cycles, symptoms, and management strategies for Fusarium Head Blight and Stripe Rust in wheat during the 2024-25 crop year. It will cover key factors influencing disease development, effective management practices, and the timing and modes of action of fungicides for both diseases. Participants will gain practical insights on optimizing fungicide applications and other control methods to protect wheat yields and quality.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Utilization of Drones and AI for Making Agronomic and Pesticide Decisions: A Discussion and Demonstration
Patrick Williams, Agronomist, Skysense AI, Inc
This talk will cover how drones are used to collect data on weeds, diseases, and insects in crop production, as well as their role in applying chemicals for targeted treatment. We’ll explore how drone technology helps reduce chemical usage, promoting more sustainable farming practices. The session will also address the requirements for using drones in both scouting and spraying operation.
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Room 1)
Growing the Next Generation: Planning for the Future of Your Farm
Darcy Sexson, AgWest Farm Credit
Kickstart your succession journey and learn how to start conversations regarding succession with family and trusted advisors. We will discuss communication tools and strategies specifically designed for family businesses in agriculture.
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (Room 1)
Fresh & Safe: Basics of Home Food Preservation
OSU Master Food Preservers
This session is designed for individuals looking to learn the essential techniques of home food preservation to extend the shelf life of their favorite foods while maintaining flavor and nutritional value. Participants will explore a variety of preservation methods including canning, freezing, fermenting, and drying. Emphasis will be placed on safe practices, proper equipment, and understanding how each technique impacts the food.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Room 1)
Spread the Sweetness: A Jam & Jelly Making Demo
OSU Master Food Preservers
Join us for a sweet and informative demonstration of the art of making homemade jams and jellies! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time fruit preserver, this session will guide you through the simple steps of turning fresh fruit into delicious spreads.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Room 2)
Winning the Battle: Effective Strategies for Controlling Bermuda Grass in Home Landscapes
Cody Copp, OSU Extension Horticulturist
Bermudagrass can creep into your lawn and leave sad-looking brown patches when it goes dormant in winter or even choke out your more-desirable landscape and garden plants. It’s also one of the most notorious and hardest-to-kill turfgrass invasives. This presentation will provide an overview of Bermudagrass biology and arm you with several chemical and nonchemical methods for controlling it in your yard.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Room 2)
Safe Water: Morrow and Umatilla Counties Drinking Water Roadmap Project
Tamra Mabbott, Morrow Co Planning Director
Joseph Fiumara, Umatilla County Public Health Director
Ronan Igloria, GSI Water Solutions, Inc.
Through a joint effort of Morrow and Umatilla Counties, the Drinking Water Roadmap Project was launched in 2024 to develop safe and reliable drinking water solutions for domestic well users who may be affected by high nitrate levels in groundwater within the project area. The panel will give an overview of the project methods; describe research being done to explore possible solutions, including the feasibility of extending water service from municipal water systems to well users; and issues related to construction and operational costs, regulatory and administrative requirements, and city/utility and public engagement. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Room 2)
Soil Health: Backyard to the Back 40 West Lambert, Tiicham Conservation District
Soil health is the foundation of any production system and assessing it doesn’t always require expensive lab tests or complex data collection. This session will equip small landholders, farmers, and ranchers with practical, in-field tools and the knowledge to observe and evaluate soil health in their own context.
See page 2 for Saturday class schedule
Saturday, March 8 Class Schedule
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Waste Not: Start Composting Today
Amanda Woodlee, OSU Extension Master Gardener Coordinator
Learn the basics of composting: how it works, how it can help you improve your soil, and how to find a system that works for you, so you can start saving money (and maybe the world?).
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
The Nitty-Gritty of Dirt: Soil Basics and Testing
Maya Bamer, OSU Master Gardener
Happy plants start with happy soil, so it’s worth taking the time to get to know yours. Learn how to find out your soil composition with a simple home test, how that can affect your garden/landscape, and how to get further testing done if needed.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Design and Implement a Regenerative Grazing Plan
Mike Guebert, Oregon Pasture Network
Proper grazing management can help you grow more forage, produce happier and healthier livestock, and provide lasting improvements to soil health. Learn how to design and implement a grazing plan that works for you.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Herb Appeal: Growing, Harvesting, and Using Herb
Valerie Barrows Conner, OSU Master Gardener – Umatilla County, Karen Wagner, OSU SNAP Educator
Learn ways to incorporate herbs in your garden and landscape, how to cultivate them for maximum potency, and how fresh herbs compare to dried ones.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Beyond Tex-Mex:
Prepare a Taste of Latin Heritage with Food Hero
Carolina Muniz, OSU SNAP Education Coordinator
Karen Wagner, OSU SNAP Educator
2025
FARM CITY AG AND HOME EXPO SPONSORS
This session will introduce you to exciting new (traditional!) cuisine from south of the border. We’ll look at foods central to many South American recipes and teach you how to create unique, healthy dishes that will open your eyes to an incredible variety of flavors and healthy preparations. Title Sponsor
2025 EXHIBITORS
Merry Meridonial and Alpaca Ranch
