Jul 22, 2021 by Colleen Baker, INFB Marketing Team
Contact:
Colleen Baker
317-692-7822
317-242-8907
cbaker@infb.org
Indiana Farm Bureau will once again have a presence at the Indiana State Fair, supporting agriculture through sponsored events and programming. This year’s activities highlight INFB’s commitment to the next generation of the agriculture community, as well as generate awareness and appreciation for local agriculture in the Hoosier state.
“The state fair is the perfect occasion to showcase agriculture,” said Randy Kron, INFB president. “It’s vital we share our story, so that fairgoers leave learning more about the hard work farmers in Indiana do and how it impacts all of us.”
This year’s INFB programming and events include:
Taste From Indiana Farms:
After a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Taste From Indiana Farms returns, hosted by the INFB Women’s Leadership Committee. At this free event, which will take place Wednesday, Aug. 18 through Sunday, Aug. 22 in the Ag/Hort Building from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT, volunteers will pass out food samples that contain ingredients grown on Indiana farms.
New this year, Taste From Indiana Farms will run for five days instead of its traditional three days. Additionally, volunteers will distribute prepackaged food samples to attendees, in order to adhere to county and state food safety restrictions. A variety of new commodities will be available for visitors to sample, including mint, wheat, dairy, popcorn and more. The event also will offer science and cooking demonstrations.
“We are so excited to be back at the state fair and able to educate consumers on the importance of agriculture,” said Isabella Chism, INFB 2nd vice president and chair of the Women’s Leadership Committee. “Hoosiers who stop by Taste From Indiana Farms will learn that agriculture is all around us, and that it plays a major role in our everyday lives, most notably in the foods we eat.”
The INFB Women's Leadership Committee is dedicated to educating the public through programs and events that promote agriculture.
Youth Livestock Competitions:
INFB will continue its support of the 4-H youth livestock competitions at this year’s Indiana State Fair. The organization will be the presenting sponsor of the Exhibitor Experience for livestock exhibitors, and all showmanship contests, awarding a variety of prizes for swine, sheep, beef cattle, dairy cattle and Supreme Showmanship.
INFB also will sponsor the 4-H Supreme Drive, which recognizes Indiana’s supreme 4-H breeding ewes, dairy females and gilts, and will take place Sunday, Aug. 15 at 4 p.m. EDT in the Indiana Farmers Coliseum.
“It’s important we support youth in agriculture at the state fair since many young people exhibiting are our future leaders at Farm Bureau and in the Indiana agriculture community,” said Becca Bonnell, INFB youth engagement coordinator.
INFB’s commitment to youth in agriculture goes beyond the fair. There are many opportunities for youth to be involved in INFB, with scholarships for graduating seniors and college students; Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters at Purdue, Huntington and Vincennes universities and Ancilla College; FFA advocacy days and trainings; and leadership development events, competitions, awards and conferences.
The Indiana State Fair takes place Friday, July 30 through Sunday, Aug. 22, closed each Monday and Tuesday, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Events Center in Indianapolis. Daily gate hours are 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. EDT.
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About Indiana Farm Bureau: For more than 100 years, Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB) has promoted agriculture in Indiana through public education, member engagement, and by advocating for agricultural and rural needs. As the state’s largest general farm organization, INFB works diligently to ensure a farmer’s right to farm—protecting the livelihood, land, equipment, animals and crops of Hoosier farmers—because agriculture is vital to Indiana’s economy. Learn more at INFB.org.
