Exactly what is Farm Science Review?

It's a three-day outdoor agricultural trade show featuring a little bit of something for everyone. There are commercial exhibits for everything from tractors to financial services. Educational displays offer new ideas and new answers to old problems. And there's always an expert or two or three around from Ohio State University, government agencies and private industry.

How many years has there been a Farm Science Review?

This is year 43.

Has the show always been at this site?

No, this is the twenty-third show at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center. The first Review here was in 1983. Prior to that, Farm Science Review was held at Ohio State's Don Scott Field farm complex in Northwest Columbus. Basically, we outgrew the old area. The gift of the Center's first 993 acres to the university made a move possible.

How big is the Molly Caren Agricultural Center?

The grounds now have 2,100 acres dedicated to the Review and Ohio State's agricultural demonstrational and research operations. The Central Exhibit Area is 83 acres. There are about 150 acres of parking. The Gwynne Conservation Area is 67 acres. The remainder is cropland.

Is there really a Molly Caren?

Sure. Molly Caren, now Molly Caren Fisher, gave Ohio State the Center's first 993 acres for applied research and educational programs aimed at the agricultural industry. Stop by Federation Park and read the stone marker that tells the history of the farm that became the Molly Caren Agricultural Center. The rest of the MCAC was purchased from Prudential Insurance Company of America in 1992.

Who runs Farm Science Review?

Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences runs the show with OSU Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. State and federal agencies help out with specific areas. Review policy is set by the Program and Policy Committee made up of 12 representatives from different parts of the University.

How many exhibitors show at the Review?

This year we expect nearly 600 commercial exhibitors representing about 4,000 equipment lines. Numerous educational displays from Ohio State and from state and federal agencies also will be on the grounds.

How many people visit the Review each year?

We don't get too worried about numbers, but an audited ticket count is available several months after the show each year. We expect 125,000 to 145,000 visitors this year, depending on the time of harvest and the weather.

Does the Molly Caren Center just sit there the rest of the year?

One of our goals is to give the MCAC year-round use. With the addition of the Natural Resources Interpretive Center building in the Gwynne Conservation Area, that will boost the site's use as an outdoor education area. Several agricultural field days sponsored by Ohio State and private industry are hosted at the Center each year. And the Center is the site of on-going agricultural and conservation research. The extra acreage purchased a few years ago is intended to expand the amount of applied research done at the Molly Caren Center. Potential exists for additional shows in the future such as a show catering to the construction industry or the horticulture, turf, and green industry.

Who's in the Farm Science Review Hall of Fame?

The 2004 inductees were Craig Fendrick, Bill Hanusik, and Sam Huber. Previously honored were: Harold Bauman, Sam Bone, Shirley Brooks, Jim Caldwell, Molly Caren, Robert Eby, Novice Fawcett, Francille Firebaugh, Dale Friday, Dorothy Friday, Bill George, Bill Gill, Wilbur Gould, Marion Grimes, Ed Johnson, Ted Jones, Roy Kottman, Roland Leeper, Paul Leidheiser, Carl Lemon, Creighton "Lep" Lephart, Naurine McCormick, Earl McMunn, Ray Miller, Robert Miller, David Miskell, Don Pritchard, Bill Schnug, Larry Shepherd, Kathleen Smith, Tom Stockdale, Jim & Norma Trotter, Jim Utzinger, Larry Vance, Judy Wessel, Kelso Wessel, Tom Wonderling, Jim Yingling and Bill Zipf.