Spokane Ag show returns for 2026

SPOKANE – The annual Spokane Ag Show is returning to the Spokane Convention Center Feb. 3-5 for the 47th annual expo and 70th Pacific Northwest Farm Forum. Show Director Diahne Gill said this event is a great opportunity for people from the industry to get together and collaborate. 

“We use the tagline, ‘Meet, Learn and Grow.’ They come to meet with fellow producers and exhibitors; they learn we offer 47 different seminars to attend, and we also offer our keynote speakers,” said Gill. 

The event features a variety of exhibitors and presenters from throughout the industry, all sharing the latest advances in their wares and expertise on how the industry is changing. Gill said attendees can expect to see everything from farming equipment and the latest on pesticides to banks providing financial services. 

One such exhibitor is Farmland Company, which has been with the Ag show for more than a decade. Farmland Company Broker Tim Cobb, who is also a member of the board of directors for the Ag show, said Farmland will be providing information on farm management, farm real estate brokerage and evaluation and appraisal work. 

Gill said this year’s keynote sessions will see the return of Art Douglas, a meteorologist from Creighton University, with the weather forecast and a look at the Agriculture Economic Forecast on Wednesday with Eric Jessup, assistant research professor with the School of Economic Sciences at Washington State University as the speaker.  

There will also be a variety of seminars about crop and livestock insurance, energy, accounting, estate planning and information on area dams, she said. 

“We have such a wide variety,” said Gill. “We try to hit every aspect of rural living.” 

Thursday is focused on the Future Farmers of America, with around 1,000 students given the opportunity to come to the event to have their state officers meeting, listen to a keynote speaker and learn aspects of the industry at the expo, said Gill. The FFA students are also offered a career fair where they can explore different paths available in agriculture and adjacent industries. 

This is Gill’s first year directing the trade show portion of the conference, and she said she is looking forward to things running smoothly with the help of a crew of dedicated volunteers. 

“I have such an amazing support system of volunteer board members and volunteers that they carry the heavy lifting of the show,” she said. “We couldn’t do what we do without all of our volunteers.” 

Jay Allert is a chair for the AgriBusiness Council of Greater Spokane and serves as a member on the board of directors for the Ag show. He said not only is the board entirely made up of volunteers, but the show is ran entirely by volunteer work from people committed to agriculture. 

“It’s a year-long project of getting ready and arranging all of the seminars and the trade show and all the companies that participate,” said Allert. “It’s a big effort and lots of volunteer hours.” 

One of the aspects of the show that Allert, Cobb and Gill said is important is that it serves as a social event where people from all around the industry come together and learn from one another. 

Cobb said the agriculture industry is very reliant on the relationships built with one another and an event like the Ag Show allows people to come together and meet those they work with in person. They can also make new connections and help support those who are just getting started in the field as well as speaking with current and potential customers.  

“At the show, my opportunity to have a booth is really an opportunity to see dozens of clients as well as partners that I work with to help manage the farms that I care for across the Inland Northwest,” he said. 

Cobb said he has been attending the conference since he was a child and has seen how much it has grown and changed with the industry over the years. It has become a reliable place where people can come to gather once a year to work in collaboration, whether agriculture is experiencing a good or bad market and gives people the opportunity to lift each other up in the industry and make new relationships. 

“They love to come and talk with their peers and hear what they can learn,” said Allert. “It’s a great event and it’s pretty cool to see great big combines or quad tracks going down Division Street in Spokane. It reminds everybody that agriculture is a big deal around here.”

Schedule

Tuesday, Feb. 3

9 a.m. - 11 a.m. 

Farm Forum Opening Session, Excellence in Agriculture Award. Convention Center Ballroom. Presented by Dr. Art Douglas “The Weatherman.” 

12 p.m.

 Fungicide Application in Dryland Winter Wheat Production – Pesticide Recertification Course. Room 401B. Presented by Aaron Esser.

Crop and Livestock Insurance Update. Room 401C. Presented by Gary Heilig Jr.

Energy, USDA Incentives, and how the new WA Green Bank can support WA agriculture. Room 402A. Presented by David Funk and Eli Lieberman. 

Legacy Planning for the Next Generation. Room 402B. Presented by Corey Brock, Norm Brock and Derek Brock. 

The Importance of Annual Farm Insurance Reviews. Room 402C. Presented by Shawn Koethke.

1:30 p.m.

Stay Clean, Stay Clean: Pre’s in Cereal Grain Cropping – Pesticide Recertification Course. Room 401B. Presented by Aaron Esser. 

Trump Tax Law Updates and How They Affect Your Farming Operation. Room 401C. Presented by Ryan Frederick and Jared King. 

Land Value Trends. Room 402A. Presented by Paul Vuletick and Whitney Husband. 

Entity Structure for Today and Future Generations. Room 402B. Presented by Corey Brock, Norm Brock and Derek Brock. 

What We Get Wrong About the Snake River Dams. Room 402C. Presented by Adam Ratliff. 

3 p.m. 

Roundup Product Changes for Homeowners and Land Managers – Pesticide Recertification Course. Room 401B. Presented by Ric Wesselman. 

Weathering the Storm: Tax and Financial Strategies in Agriculture’s Lean Years. Room 401C. Presented by Larissa Zeiler. 

Crop Inputs Outlook. Room 402A. Presented by Demien Singh.

Two presentations have yet to be announced in room 402B and 402C. 

Wednesday, Feb. 4

9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 

Agriculture Economic Forecast and “Freight Transportation Tariff Impacts and Market Outlook.” Convention Center Ballrooms. Presented by Erik Jessup. 

10:30 a.m. 

Wireworm and Seed Corn Maggot Identification and control in Wheat and Pulses, respectively – Pesticide Recertification Course. Room 401B. Presented by Ric Wesselman. 

The Big Beautiful Bill: Key Tax Reforms Affecting Farmers. Room 401C. Presented by Carsen Davis and Cade Weber.

Crop Insurance Considerations. Room 402A. Presenter yet to be announced.

Washington Wheat: Quality, Markets and What Comes Next. Room 402B. Presented by Jake Liening. 

The New Falling Numbers Test. Room 402C. Presented by Alison Thompson and Amber Havermale.

12 p.m.

Back to Basics – Pesticide Recertification Course. Room 401B. Presented by Evan Hansen. 

Check and Balances – The Art of Payroll and Bookkeeping. Room 401C. Presented by JoAnn Gossett and Lisa Martin.

Preparing for Your Lendor. Room 402A. Presented by Ryan Kile. 

Estate Planning – All of It – Trust, LLC’s and Taxes. Room 402B. Presented by Corey Brock, Norm Brock and Derek Brock. 

One presentation yet to be announced. Room 402C.

1:30 p.m.

Root Disease Research at USDA-ARS Pullman What’s New from 2025? – Pesticide Recertification Course. Room 401B. Presented by Tim Paulitz. 

The Importance of Annual Farm Insurance Reviews. Room 401C. Presented by Shawn Koethke.

Cattle Market Outlooks. Room 402A. Presented by Amber Roberts and Bryce Henderson. 

Estate Planning 2 – Stories and Dealing with Family. Room 402B. Presented by Corey Brock, Norm Brock and Derek Brock. 

What We Get Wrong ABout the Snake River Dams. Room 402C. Presented by Adam Ratliff.

3 p.m

Herbicide-Resistant Italian Rye: Lessons in Managing 4-Way Resistant Biotypes – Pesticide Recertification Course. Room 401B. Presented by Morgan Menaker.

Optimize Your Social Security. Room 401C. Presented by Jonathan Springstead. 

One presentation yet to be announced. Room 402A.

Industrial Hemp Farming in Washington State and How Farmers can Profit. Room 402B. Presented by Jared Mayzak.

Commercial Vehicle Regulations for Farmers. Room 402C. Presented by Nickolas Mielke. 

Thursday, Feb. 5

9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

FFA Program and “Career Cheat Codes for the Next Generation of Ag Leaders.” Convention Center Ballrooms. Presented by Washington State Future Farmers of America State Officers Program and Kelly Ditto. 

10:30 a.m.

One presentation yet to be announced – Pesticide Recertification Course. Room 401B.

12 p.m.

The Good, The Bad, and The Buzzy: The Impacts of Pesticides on Pollinators and How to Protect Them – Pesticide Recertification Course. Room 402B. Presented by Riley Reed.

Speakers

Dr. Art Douglas

Professor Emeritus of Atmospheric Sciences at Creighton University, Omaha, NE, with extensive experience in long-range weather forecasting. He delivers six-month forecasts for temperature, precipitation, El Niño/La Niña patterns—critical for Pacific Northwest grain and cattle producers. Served as long-range forecaster for National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s CattleFax until 2021.

Dr. Eric Jessup

Research Professor at Washington State University’s School of Economic Sciences; Director of the Freight Policy Transportation Institute. Holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics (WSU), and a B.S./M.S. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky. Over 25 years’ experience in freight modeling, logistics, and ag transportation systems, collaborating with public and private sectors globally.

Kelly Ditto

Executive admin, marketing strategist, and business owner of DittoFilm Media, a creative media production company offering full-service video and photography solutions. Expert in visual storytelling and brand marketing; also featured as a private pilot collaborating on business aviation topics.

Aaron Esser

Regional Extension Agronomist & Adams County Director with WSU Extension (Ritzville, WA). B.S. in Ag Economics and M.S. in Plant Science from the University of Idaho. Leads programs promoting minimum- and no-till farming, intensive crop rotations, and wireworm management. Deeply engaged in soil health, moisture conservation, and sustainable grain production in semi-arid zones. 

Gary Heilig Jr.

President of Crop West Insurance in Spokane, WA; with over 20 years in crop insurance and risk management. Grew up on a wheat farm in central Montana. Started in crop insurance in 2000 and has served as a proactive advocate and frequent speaker on ag policy and federal crop insurance programs. 

David Funk

President of Zero Emissions Northwest (Spokane, WA); former Chief Scientist & Deputy Director, USDA‑GIPSA. Ph.D. in Physics-Engineering; leads efforts to help farmers access USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants. Advocates practical energy solutions like solar, efficiency upgrades, and renewable technologies for lower on‑farm energy costs.

Eli Lieberman

Executive Director of Washington State Green Bank (appointed May 2025); former interim CIO and Director of Clean Energy Financing at Michigan Saves. B.A. political science; extensive state-level experience managing sustainable energy trust funds and climate policy initiatives. Focuses on financing clean energy upgrades for low‑income and affordable housing projects.

Corey F. Brock

Attorney and Partner at Brock Law Firm (Spokane & Davenport, WA), with over 30 years of practice. Specializes in agriculture law, estate and transition planning, corporate and real estate transactions, entity structures (LLCs, trusts), taxation, and asset protection for farm families.

Norman D. Brock

Attorney and agriculture columnist for Wheat Life magazine with decades of experience in ag law and business entities. Writes on farming-related legal topics including LLC utilization, trust structures, energy leases, and estate planning. Practice spans ag law, corporate formation, probate, and LLC strategies (licensed since 1967).

Shawn Koethke

Financial Representative at COUNTRY Financial in Moses Lake, WA, serving local clients since 2015. Licensed advisor providing a suite of insurance and financial services, including auto, home, life, disability, farm, and long-term-care insurance, as well as retirement planning and investment strategies. Holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management from Washington State University. Deeply involved in the local Moses Lake community, helping households and regional enterprises navigate insurance and financial planning. 

Adam Ratliff

Executive Director of the Center for Sustainability and Working Rivers (established Jan 2025), leading operations, nonprofit strategy, and public engagement around agricultural sustainability and water infrastructure. Founder and Principal of Recraft Creative (since 2015), specializing in videography, brand design, content creation, and marketing strategy. Also known online as the “Armchair Engineer,” producing videos on infrastructure topics since 2015. B.S. in Design and Visual Communications, University of Idaho (2000–2004). Collaborated in the formation of a farmer-led nonprofit focused on educating the public about Snake River dam issues, emphasizing transparent communications about food and energy security.

    Attendees get hands-on with a display of John Deere farm equipment at the Spokane Ag Show last year. This year’s show will feature a variety of exhibitors with information and updates on the latest equipment in the ag world.
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    A family talks to people running the AgriSpray Drones booth at last year’s Spokane Ag Show. The Spokane Ag expo portion has been running for 47 years and has been bringing in people from all around the industry.
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    Kat Rupert, left, of Medical Lake, gets some information from Brooks Stutzer about Washington State University’s ag and biology related programs at last year’s Spokane Ag Show. The Ag Show’s focus Thursday will be around the FFA students who will be attending the event.
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