DES MOINES, IA (07/18/2016)(readMedia)-- Agricultural education returns to the 2016 Iowa State Fair with activities on swine, dairy cattle, turkeys and more. "Nothing Compares" to MY State Fair August 11-21.
Back for another year, Fairgoers can stop by the John Deere Agriculture Building to experience "It Takes an Iowan," an interactive exhibit focused on Iowans as leaders in the ongoing effort to provide food for the nation and the world. The exhibit highlights the advancement of technology to better produce food, as well as family friendly exhibits about agriculture around the world. The display highlights Iowans as leaders in feeding the world, but also in education, technology, communication, legislation, and transportation.
Just east of the John Deere Agricultural Building is the Hy-Vee Fun Forest Stage, featuring Blue Ribbon Kids' Club. Blue Ribbon Kids' events begin at 10 a.m. every weekday and feature make and take crafts for kids based around day-specific themes like beef cattle, conservation and service dogs.
A short walk from Hy-Vee Fun Forest, the Animal Learning Center will once again feature hatching baby chicks, ducks and baby ostriches. Fairgoers can also stop in and see Thank A Farmer Magic Show, a fun, energetic and educational show that focuses on the importance and impact farming and agriculture have on our daily lives.
Located next to the Animal Learning Center, Little Hands on the Farm is celebrating its 12th Anniversary. Through this interactive adventure, kids can learn what it is like to do chores on a farm and earn play money to spend at the General Store.
The Boulevard of Dairy Breeds, located in the John and Emily Putney Family Cattle Barn, will focus on the six main breeds of dairy cattle in Iowa with new hands-on activities, cattle, baby calves and the favorite, "I Milked a Cow" display. Be sure to check out the public milkings daily at 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. in the renovated milking parlor.
Returning for the third year at the Fair is the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Ag Commodity Carnival located in the Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building. Aimed at third through eighth graders, this activity teaches kids what it takes to raise a pig and how to discover profit or loss. The Carnival will be operating August 12-20 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Also returning to the 2016 Fair are kid-friendly favorites; Ag-Venture Discovery Trail and Grape Getaway.
For more information or how to register for Kids Club, contact Emily Wynn at 515-262-3111, ext. 244 or ewynn@iowastatefair.org
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