Our editorial team is packing up the Jeep and heading to Boone, Iowa, next week for the 2026 Farm Progress Show. The Nation's Largest Outdoor Farm Show! 

It’s one of my favorite events to cover, not just for the equipment and technology demos, but the conversations with farmers from all over. Plus, it means fall and football season are right around the corner. 

One of my first stops will definitely be the new Agronomy Zone, where there will be around 6 acres of test plots, I'm told, featuring seed, nutrient and crop protection companies. 2026 National Strip-Tillage Conference speaker Brian Hefty and his brother Darren will be on hand to lead guided tours through the plots. 

You never know who you’ll meet at the show, or who you’ll run into. It’s always great to see familiar faces from National Strip-Tillage/No-Tillage Conferences of years past.  

This will also be our fourth year producing Conservation Ag Update at the show, which is always a good time, especially when it results in an award-winning episode like last year’s (video below).

If you have an idea for a segment or creative standup, let me know. We’ll try to work it in the episode.

We have a long list of new products, research and companies we’re planning to get the scoop on. We’ll do our best to report on everything, but if you can’t make it, is there anything you’d like us to cover? Or a question you’d like us to ask someone? That’s what we’re here for — to be your eyes and ears. 

Shoot me an email at Nnewman@LessiterMedia.com. I’ll add your coverage suggestion to our list.

And if you're there, say hi if you see me — even if I'm drenched in sweat (looks like the forecasted high is close to 90 on Tuesday)!