WESTFIELD, Ind. – This year’s Indiana Farm Equipment and Technology Expo will include a career fair to try to fill some of the many job openings at companies related to agriculture.

The career fair was made part of the annual Expo for the first time in response to demand from agribusinesses for workers, said Expo President Gary Truitt. “Many of these positions require mechanical, computer and electronic skills but there are also many in the service side as well,” he said.

Truitt said being familiar with agriculture is not always required and companies often provide training.

The Expo highlighting the latest in technology and technology is Dec. 13-15 at the Grand Park Event Center in Westfield. The hours for the first two days of the Expo are 9 a.m.-4 p.m., while the final day will be 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

The career fair will be on Dec. 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A special room just off the Expo trade show floor will be set up with representatives from various sized companies willing to speak with prospective applicants.

He said about 130 companies have already signed up to be represented at the Expo.  

Companies participating in the Expo will be given the first opportunity to take part in the career fair.

“The exhibitors get first shot and if there are additional slots open then we will open it up to other companies to be there as well,” he said.

Truitt said sign-ups are still ongoing but he estimated the career fair could feature as many as 50 or more firms such as co-ops and farm supply companies.

Another room adjacent to the one reserved for the career fair is available to use should the number of businesses registering for the career fair exceed capacity.

Truitt said the idea for the career fair stems from recent talks with companies about their interest in participating in this year’s Expo.

He said a few companies hesitated before committing, fearing they might not have enough workers to free up to come to the Expo.

“Just about everybody we talked to said, ‘oh yeah, we got openings.’ One company said they had like five vacancies at each one of their stores around the state.  Obviously, there’s a pretty significant labor issue for Indiana agribusinesses,” he said.

Truitt said the career fair is a great way for people attending the Expo to apply for a job or learn about the opportunities available in the agribusiness industry.

“They can come to the show and see the companies and the equipment. They can also sit down in a very non-threatening, low pressure kind of situation and just have a conversation with these companies that have openings,” he said.

Truitt said among the highlights of the Expo will be the latest in drone, robotics and precision planting technologies designed to further improve farm efficiency.

Newly developed software allowing computers to guide tractors and other farm implements while collecting data aimed at improving yields is also on the long list of attractions.

“Not only are we showing what is available for 2023 in terms of farm equipment, inputs, chemicals and seeds but we’re also trying to showcase the technology that is going to be there for 2033,” he said.

A number of seminars featuring a variety of experts in the industry are also scheduled. There is no price of admission to both events and parking is free.

For more information, visit indianafarmexpo.com.

The Indiana Farm Equipment and Technology Expo is a joint venture between Hoosier Ag Today and Farm World Newspaper, two of the largest agricultural media organizations in Indiana.

In 2018, the two organizations formed Midwest Ag Events, LLC, and purchased the Indiana-Illinois Farm Equipment and Outdoor Power Show, hosted annually for 40 years.

The show’s name was changed and its focus expanded to encompass new developments in technology that impact production agriculture.

The Expo is held every December after farmers have completed their harvest and as they begin to plan for the next year’s growing season.

More information can be found at indianafarmexpo.com