Ray Robertson says Grey Bruce Farmers Week draws farmers from well beyond the two counties.
Robertson's Grey Ag Services organises the annual event.
He says some of their 7 days - such as sheep and goat days - can bring in people from as far away as Windsor, Ottawa and Lindsay.
Grey Ag Services started running Grey Bruce Farmers Week in 2000, when the Walkerton and Markdale OMAFRA offices closed.
Robertson says one of the major changes over that time has been the speaker sponsorship program, where agribusinesses cover the costs of bringing in high-calibre presenters.
He says that program allows them to put together a strong program while keeping the cost to attendees down.
Next month's Grey Bruce Farmers Week is the 50th anniversary for the annual event.
The 2016 version runs January 6th to the 12th at the Elmwood Community Centre.
And despite the January schedule, Robertson says they've only had to cancel 3 days because of storms over the past 49 years.
===
Robertson says it's grown into an event now that draws farmers from well beyond Grey and Bruce counties.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/GBFW-Ray-1.mp3"][/audio]
===
Robertson says they're able to afford to bring in some high-profile speakers thanks largely to the sponsorship of area agribusinesses.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/GBFW-Ray-2.mp3"][/audio]
===
Robertson, who's been one of the event's organisers since 2000, says weather hasn't really been a problem for the January event.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/GBFW-Ray-3.mp3"][/audio]
