LOOSE CREEK — From drones lifting tractor tires overhead to children digging through a corn-filled play pit, the first Osage County Farm Expo brought a wide-ranging look at local agriculture to the Loose Creek Community Center on March 28.

Hosted by the Osage County Agritourism Council, the free, daylong event featured roughly 30 vendors representing farming services and products from across the county, along with demonstrations, educational displays, and family activities.

Inside the community center, rows of booths highlighted everything from feed and seed to farm equipment, livestock production, and agricultural services. Representatives from organizations such as the Missouri Farm Bureau and University of Missouri Extension spoke with attendees, while local businesses and producers shared information about their operations. Quail Unlimited also participated, offering guidance on how landowners can establish and manage habitat to support quail populations.

The event was designed to connect residents with the people and services that support agriculture in Osage County, while also offering a closer look at how modern and traditional practices intersect.

Historical displays added context to the county’s agricultural roots. Exhibits from the Osage County Historical Society and others documented Century Farms and life in the Missouri River bottoms, giving visitors a look at how farming in the area has evolved over generations. The displays highlighted both long-standing family operations and the changing landscape of agriculture in the region.

Throughout the day, scheduled demonstrations drew steady attention. A morning cooking demonstration featured lamb prepared by the “Lamb Chopettes,” while a forestry presentation by Leo Massman focused on tree identification. Outside, Nathan Troesser of Missouri Valley Drone demonstrated agricultural drone capabilities, including lifting and maneuvering heavy loads and spraying applications, drawing crowds and applause as a drone hoisted a tractor tire into the air.

Equipment displays and outdoor exhibits gave attendees a closer look at machinery and farm infrastructure, with tractors, utility vehicles, and building setups on display.

Families and children were a visible part of the turnout. A designated kids’ area included hands-on activities such as a corn pit, where children climbed and played, as well as interactive exhibits like a mock cow milking station and other agriculture-themed activities. Many of the activities were designed to give children a hands-on introduction to agriculture.

A variety of food items were available throughout the day, from breakfast items like biscuits and gravy and cinnamon rolls to chili, pork burgers, and other lunch fare.

A raffle featuring locally sourced items, including a quilt, a basket of Osage County goods, and a cash prize, added another draw for attendees.

The event highlighted the breadth of agriculture in Osage County, which has more than 1,000 farms and ranks among the top five counties in Missouri for Century Farms. Organizers said the goal was to bring together producers, businesses, and residents while showcasing the role agriculture continues to play in the community.

Based on attendance and participation throughout the day, the inaugural event appeared to meet that goal, with a steady flow of engaged visitors moving between booths, demonstrations, and activities from morning through the afternoon.