THE three-day Seymour Alternative Farming Expo attracted its usual 20,000 visitors last Friday to Sunday, who enjoyed perusing the more than 400 exhibitors that ranged from chickens and other livestock through to tractors, mohair jumpers, and camel rides.
The popular event is now in its 34th year.
Friday drew a lot of small families and couples enjoying very slow walks as the numbers built up in the afternoon.
Waving the flag for Euroa was Linda and Colin Green who have run Greenfleece wool products for thirty years since they first set up a stall at the Violet Town markets.
They have been selling at the Seymour Expo for a decade and said they had started the business to put their kids through university.
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"We had five kids," Linda said.
"We couldn't afford a television."
Colin listed off their alumni in order.
"We now have a midwife, a superannuation executive, a boiler maker, a radiologist and a nurse 'eventually'," he said.
"She's busy having her own five kids," Linda said.
The Greens said that sales would be more challenging this year due to the dry conditions and 'everyone doing it tough'.
"There's no rain and there will probably be a recession," Linda said.
"In fact we just sold all our cattle because we couldn't afford to feed them."
Also exhibiting was Strathbogie Tractors' Ashley 'Tractor' Thompson who is Euroa born and bred and has been running his tractor maintenance business for fifteen years.
He is now in his third year as a seller of three brands and this was his second year at the Expo where he wasted no time getting to the point.
"I love tractors," Tractor said.
"I love vintage tractor pulling and I love Euroa - I went to school there too.
"My name really is 'Tractor' Thompson, that's what people call me."
Tractor sells attachments and accessories for (real) tractors made by Wangaratta's Burder engineers and Woods Tractor Attachments.
He had on display a Slovenian AGT tractor which has a unique reversible console to send its 50 horsepower in both directions as needed.
"It is really an 'Agromehanika' but its easier to say 'AGT'."
Crowds at the Expo were also treated to a snake display, aerial motorbike stunts, whip cracking, sheep dog trials, and cooking demonstrations.
Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said she enjoyed the 'privilege' to spend the weekend at the Expo alongside her Nationals party colleagues, friends, family, and the wider community.
"More than two-and-a-half thousand people stopped by my marquee for a yarn, to share feedback, and raise local issues," Ms Cleeland said.
"Listening to (the electorate) is the most important part of my job as your voice in Parliament."
Ms Cleeland said Expo was a cornerstone of the local economy which brought people from across the country to experience the best the region has to offer.
"It’s a celebration of the strength and innovation in our agricultural industry, showcasing everything.
"Agriculture is the backbone of our regional economy, and events like this play a vital role in recognising the incredible work our farmers do every day."
