<b>By SUSAN BLOWER<br>
Indiana Correspondent</b></p><p>

CLOVERDALE, Ind. — The first annual Heartland Farm and Ranch Expo is set for March 13-16 at the new Crossroads USA Arena and Expo in Cloverdale.<br>
“This event is really for the rural lifestyle farmer,” said show organizer John Cloe. “It’s for people who have alpacas, llamas; they’re beekeepers, raise 20-head of cattle or less, grow strawberries or organic products.”<br>
Cloe said these farmers, though often much smaller in scale compared to full-time producers, buy just as much equipment and supplies.<br>
“This is a big market that is often overlooked,” he added.
The Expo, which is sponsored in part by Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, will be under the roof of the weather-proof, five-acre Crossroads USA Arena.<br>
The event features seminars from Purdue University’s New Ventures program. Also, Chad Wilson of Wilson Cattle Co. will offer tips for grooming and selecting animals for the showring on Friday and Saturday.<br>
Craig Cameron will present his Extreme Cowboy Race show – as seen on RFD-TV. Contestants will compete for $7,200 in prize money as they ride a course designed to test the skills of both horse and rider. For details about this contest, call 765-655-2107.
The hours for the event are noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday, noon to 7 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.<br>
For additional details about the Expo, visit www.equinepromotions.net<br>