This week in San Antonio, the agriculture world is buzzing as the 2026 Commodity Classic gets underway, marking 30 years of the nation’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show in the U.S.
Over the next three days, thousands of growers, agribusiness leaders and industry experts are gathering at the Henry B. González Convention Center to explore breakthrough technology, discuss market trends and tackle key challenges facing American farms from profitability pressures to evolving policy landscapes.
According to Indiana farmer and NCGA board member JR Roesner, “That’s what’s great about this event, is that we have those opportunities to come and to learn more about markets, more about, some of the things that are driving demand. And just to make sure that we’re prepared for the challenges that we face in the current environment.”
What sets this event apart is its “farmer-led” foundation, from planning committees to educational sessions, built on input from producers themselves who determine what topics and solutions matter most right now. That means workshops on precision agriculture, policy panels driven by commodity groups, and trade-floor exhibits that reflect real farm priorities.
Roesner continues, “If you can’t get there this year, make sure you sign up for next year. It’s a great event, great way to network, great way to learn about the things going on within our industry and to make great connections.”
Organizing a show of this scale takes months of coordination between grower organizations, sponsors, exhibitors, and local partners, plus careful attention to providing practical tools that farmers can take home to improve their operations.
Roesner adds, “Preparation for the show began last March and we hit the ground running right after the show was over and make sure we’re getting the companies here that the attendees want to see, that we’re hitting the educational areas that our attendees want to attend and just making this a great event all the way around.”