Wisconsin Ag Connection - Former 'Farm Tech' Manager Compiles 60+ Years of Show History

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Former 'Farm Tech' Manager Compiles 60+ Years of Show History
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 08/31/2018

Fans of the state's largest outdoor farm show can take a trip down Memory Lane thanks to a project that looks back at the complete history of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. Former General Manager Ron Schuler, who served as an agricultural engineer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for many years, compiled a large online document that explains how the show got started back in 1954. It also contains a year-by-year summary of each show since the beginning.

"It took many months of going through old filing cabinets and scouring through the University archives to put together this electronic piece," Schuler told Wisconsin Ag Connection. "This event means something to me personally because I spent a lot of time at the shows throughout the years. In fact, we have a family connection from the very start as my brother won the plowing contest at the second annual show and was a repeat champion a year later."

Formerly known as Wisconsin Farm Progress Days, Schuler headed the show's field demonstrations from 1984 until he was named General Manager in 2009. He retired from that capacity in 2012, but continues to attend the show and offers ongoing support to the WFTD board.

"I've always enjoyed working with the equipment manufacturers and talking with the different vendors," he said.

When asked what he felt was the biggest change through the decades, he thought it was the size of the equipment and the eletronic components involved in modern agricultural technology.

"Back when the show got started, most farmers were just getting their first tractors. Now days, there's sensors in the combines and even in the forage harvesters that can tell you the moisture content of the feed in real time," Schuler explained. "GPS and data collection are also big changes we have observed through the years."

But one thing Schuler says remained consistent was the farmers themselves.

"They've always come to the show to learn and have been so great to work with. In all the years I have been involved with the show, I never had issues with the farmers."

Ron is also grateful for the many thousands of volunteers that helped make the show a success year after year. He says for them, getting involved was an opportunity to learn a new skill or get to know other people from their county.

The 161 page document is available in pdf format on the Farm Tech Days' website. A direct link to the document can be found at: http://www.wifarmtechnologydays.com/history.php.

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