DECATUR - Like most people involved in this year's Farm Progress Show, David Brix is breathing a little easier than he did two years ago.

Brix, one of three host farmers for this year's show, says having the experience from the 2005 show will make his job easier. Instead of sitting in planning meetings, the host farmers can focus on their work in the fields, Brix said.

"This year will be a piece of cake," Brix said. "The headaches are all gone."

After finishing the planting of the field demonstration areas, Brix started last week helping seed companies plant their test plots. The seed companies will have their exhibit areas along the soon-to-be built 11th Street, with test plots directly behind the exhibits, said Jeff Smith, the show's Decatur-based regional sales manager.

The test plots allow the companies to show off their products, and the plants aren't taken to yield, Smith said.

While spring rains have slowed corn planting for some area farmers, the planting at Progress City USA is only slightly behind schedule, Smith said.

"It's not critical as far as timing yet," Smith said. "We've still got time to get it done."

Brix and Smith spent part of their week helping companies such as Burrus Seed based in Arenzville, a town north of Jacksonville, get its corn in the ground.

Don Rhoads, a research agronomist with the company, said its exhibit will be identical to what it did two years ago. Since most of its market is in Illinois, the company did not exhibit at last year's show in Amana, Iowa, Rhoads said.

The test plot filled with corn will be directly behind the company's tent, where Rhoads is hoping to draw lots of visitors by playing what is called "Burrus Bingo." This version is filled with facts about the business, one of the oldest family-owned seed companies in the area, Rhoads said.

"If we can create some excitement in the tent, then we can get more prospective customers to come in," Rhoads said.

Brix skillfully navigated between orange utility flags marking the outlines of the plots as employees with Burrus and other companies directed which seeds to plant.

Smith said the host farmers are a critical link between the show management, exhibitors and what is done to get the show ready for its three-day run from Aug. 28 to 30.

"They've been extremely cooperative taking the time to help us," Smith said. "They do it with a smile on their face. It's amazing."

Brix is in charge of the field demonstration areas to the north of Progress City, land that belongs to his grandparents. Marc Padrutt, who returns for his second year as host farmer, and newcomer Colby Schwarze will be in charge of the final day's field demo area and a new area of plants.

When it comes time to show off all their hard work, Brix realizes Mother Nature can alter their plans, so it's important to have back-up plans in place. For example, the field demonstration schedule in Iowa was altered due to rain at the start of the show.

"We can only do what the weather allows us to do," Brix said.

The host farmers are in the middle of their busiest time until August. Once all the seeds are in the ground, they'll be getting the parking areas ready over the next few months. Then a few weeks before the show starts, they'll be busy again making sure all the crops are ready for the start of the show.

In the meantime, Brix has other land to look after, most of which he rents in order to farm. Being a host farmer for the Farm Progress Show remains one of the highlights of his career.

"Being a host farmer is one of the ultimate neat things that can happen to a farmer," Brix said.

Some of the host farmers' work lasts into October, well after the show is over.

To return the favor for all the work the host farmers do to get ready for the show, Smith said some of the Farm Progress Co. officials get on tractors and help them with some of their labor in the fall.

As long as the show is in Decatur and the host farmers want to help out, having the same help will benefit show organizers, Smith said.

"Consistency will make things run smoother," Smith said. "I think they can breathe a lot easier."

Chris Lusvardi can be reached at clusvardi@herald-review.com or 421-7972.