A lot can happen in two days.
In between the morning of July 30, 2025 and the afternoon of July 31, roughly 1,000 individuals entered the Fulton County Fairgrounds in Wauseon, OH. Some were there to price or even buy equipment. Some were there to get continuing education credits. Some were there to watch manure spreaders.
During those two days, those guests saw the weather range from clear, hot and sunny to chilly and wet – but even as the weather pushed to both extremes, few were deterred. The first day featured the best of Ohio agriculture and nutrient management with offsite tours and agitation demos, as well as on-site demonstrations such as the confined space rescue and the signature hose break.
It was the Expo’s first time in Ohio since 2016.
For local farms – like host farm Andre Farms, which also hosted a tour of its smart composting operations – the Expo represents an opportunity to create better communication with the community. Ross Andre, who led the tour of his family’s operation, says communication about manure, composting and nutrient management is key to helping neighbors get along and increasing appreciation of agriculture among the general public.
“I’d like [people] to know that we’re trying to leave our fields better for the next generation,” says Andre. “We’re trying to do the right thing environmentally. There are people out there that are trying to do right by the next generation.”
Safety has been an explicit component of the Expo for several years now, but this year’s event featured a one-of-a-kind manure pit rescue simulator, which was developed by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) with support from Nationwide. The NECAS team hosts events for farmers, firefighters and other emergency and first responders to educate – using a trailer, dummies and harnesses – on the dangers of confined spaces such as manure pits, and the proper way to secure and safely retrieve a fallen colleague. Instructor Dan Neenam also stressed elements such as air quality monitoring throughout work processes, proper protective equipment and how to secure a harness and rig for below-grade rescues.
Day two saw crowds don their rain ponchos to view solid and liquid spreaders, while also taking in education sessions on water quality, manure economics and more. Other demonstrations included drag hoses and spill mitigation.
Gabe Guthrie, a Pennsylvania-based extension educator who works with manure haulers and handlers, attended his first-ever Expo, says there was a lot of equipment on display he didn’t normally get to see at home. “It’s neat to see how things differ from region to region,” says Guthrie. “I don’t think you’re going to find another [show] that has all of this relevant stuff in one spot, between the equipment, the tours and the [educational] talks.”
The 2026 North American Manure Expo will take place in Wayne, Nebraska on July 28, 29 and 30. •
