BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — If you’re a farmer, a tradesman or even a barbecue connoisseur, there’s no place on earth quite like the World Agriculture Exposition.

“This is my second year volunteering. I love the people, I love the Ag Expo. You get to interact with people from all over the world,” said Shannon George, a World Ag Expo volunteer.

Thousands came to Tulare for day one of the exposition, with more than 70 countries represented by farmers, workers and corporations of their own. Some attendees have been coming to the Ag Expo their whole lives.

“Since I was 11, I remember, like the first time coming, we had like this like dairy stand as my grandpa was dairy farmer. So, yeah, that was just always fun to come see all the technology group dairy farms,” Bakersfield resident, Sophia Silva said.

While an international event, Kern County’s footprint was clear. Trade workers, farmers and businesses from Bakersfield and beyond filled the stands.

Teacher who allegedly touched students found in possession of child pornography: Tehachapi PD

“We do safety training for agriculture, oil fields and construction. We do everything from equipment training to CPR first aid,” Jennifer Verden with the California Safety Training Corporation said.

“We’re a pipe manufacturer focusing on industrial products as well as municipal water works by so we support the irrigation and agriculture industry as well. That’s what brings us out here,” Young Zhao, principal of Rising Star Pipe Manufacturer said.

One of the newest developments on display was the use of AI and automation in farming. Linean, Kern County’s very first custom AI software company, was there to pitch it’s solutions to industry members.

“Linean is Kern County’s first AI custom software company. What we do is we come into local or statewide companies and we build custom software for them. And so they are interested in integrating AI. It spans a lot of different things in the agriculture business, from growers to packaging and agriculture real estate,” said Jacob Frost, chief marketing officer of Linean.

Burglars cut hole in wall to break into jewelry store at Valley Plaza Mall: Bakersfield PD

And it wasn’t just businesses out there, education centers in Kern County pitched their own agriculture programs, like Bakersfield College and it’s newly crowned rodeo queen.

“I am the first ever Bakersfield College rodeo queen. So I go out to different events, promoting the rodeo team and Bakersfield College as well,” said Rachel Ramey, Bakersfield College rodeo queen.

“Alongside with a bunch of goodies that we have, we are also providing information about our pathways. We are very big department within campus as well as throughout the state,” said Nicole Silva with Bakersfield College.

A fun-filled day and the first of three. You have until Thursday to get yourself a ticket for $20.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.