Included in the some 8,055 registered in Anaheim were a record number of first-time attendees.

More than 8,000 farmers, agriculture leaders and ag advocates converged on the Anaheim Convention Center to Grow Beyond as the 2018 Commodity Classic took place Feb. 27-Mar.1 in California. Commodity Classic is America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show.

Preliminary numbers are out – this year brought 8,055 registered attendees including a record number of non-exhibitor, first-time attendees (1,533) and more than 150 media representatives. A total of 3,646 farmers from across the nation and several foreign countries were on hand to take part in a robust slate of educational sessions, tour the large trade show and hear from a wide range of experts and thought-leaders in agriculture.  Attendance numbers are subject to a final audit.

Highlights of the 2018 Commodity Classic included:

• A keynote address by Sonny Perdue, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, who also took part in a Q&A session on the Main Stage on the trade show floor
• A slate of more than 40 educational sessions on topics ranging from soil health to farm policy, from trade to pollinators, from high-yield strategies to cover crops and more
• A huge trade show featuring 367 companies commanding a total of 1,894 booth spaces
• A three-day showcase of innovation, technology, equipment and groundbreaking ideas that are      changing the face of agriculture and food production
• Dozens of opportunities for farmers to network and learn from each other
• Meetings and policy development sessions involving the presenting commodity associations

“We were very pleased with the turnout in Anaheim and the enthusiasm and energy were palpable,” said Paul Taylor, an Illinois farmer and co-chair of the 2018 Commodity Classic.“Commodity Classic attracts people who are passionate about agriculture, thirsty for knowledge and positive about the future.”

Gerry Hayden, a Kentucky farmer and 2018 Commodity Classic co-chair agreed.

“Commodity Classic is run by farmers, for farmers,” he said. “That makes for a unique and meaningful experience for everyone who attends—and everyone takes away new ideas that will help their operation Grow Beyond!”

The 2019 Commodity Classic is scheduled for Feb. 28-Mar.2, 2019 in Orlando, Fla.

Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is presented by the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.