Connecting with consumers and youth was the focus of Indiana Farm Bureau’s activities and sponsorships during the 2023 Indiana State Fair, which ran July 28-Aug. 20.
The Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion officially opened just in time for the 2023 fair and was the site of many of the fair’s livestock shows.
INFB’s biggest consumer event, Taste From Indiana Farms, also was held at the new pavilion. More than 8,600 fairgoers visited the event, which was held Aug. 10-13. In 2022, attendance totaled 5,140.
More than 100 volunteers helped at the event, handing out samples of foods produced in Indiana, including ice cream (donated by Prairie Farms), duck sticks (donated by Culver Duck Farm), apple cider slushies (donated by Beasley’s Orchard), lamb summer sausage (donated by Indiana Sheep Association), popcorn balls, corn snacks, pickles (donated by Sechler’s Pickles), and chocolate-covered pretzels and chocolate-covered Gummi Bears (donated by Albanese Candy).
INFB continued its sponsorship of the Exhibitor Experience as well as the Supreme Drive and showmanship contests. Prizes distributed by INFB included six large coolers for the supreme champion species winners; eight director chairs for the supreme showmanship winners; 50 luggage bags for the champion showmanship division winners of all species; and 39 lunch coolers for reserve champion showmanship division winners of all species.
The organization also awarded 400 vinyl banners to showmanship breed and division grand and reserve grand champions of all species; 400 feed scoops to the grand and reserve showmanship winners; and approximately 3,300 T-shirts, which were distributed to all livestock exhibitors.