Purdue Extension now has own building during state fair

July 28, 2015  


WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Most Purdue Extension activities during the Indiana State Fair this year will be held under one roof - the newly named Purdue Extension Ag/Hort Building.

The building will house several exhibits, featuring one of Extension's newest, The Edible Journey: The Incredible Story of How Your Food Gets to You, as well as food preparation and nutrition demonstrations. The Ag/Hort Building is on the far west side of the fairgrounds in the midway area.

 "We are thrilled to be in our new home this year, the Purdue Extension Ag/Hort Building," said Danica Kirkpatrick, engagement program manager for Purdue University's College of Agriculture. "This makes it easier for fairgoers to find our exhibits that are both fun and educational for the entire family."

The fair will be Aug. 7-23 at the state fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St. in Indianapolis.

Two Extension events that will be held elsewhere on the fairgrounds are:

* Annual panel discussion on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Crop Production Report on Aug. 12 in the Indiana Farm Bureau Building's banquet hall beginning at 1:30 p.m.

 * Women in Agriculture Awards, given during the lieutenant governor's Celebration of Agriculture program in the Normandy Barn on Aug. 19 beginning at 3:30 p.m.

 The Edible Journey exhibit shows how our food goes from the farm to the grocery store.

"The food we buy at the grocery store or farmers market has to be harvested, transported and often processed before it gets to consumers," said Jeffrey Rollins, coordinator of exhibits for Purdue's Department of Agricultural Communication. "Every food item we buy has been on one kind of journey or another, and the exhibit conveys that message to children and their families."

Other exhibits to be shown in the Ag/Hort Building are:

 * A Salamander Tale - Uncover the world of salamanders and Indiana's giant salamander, the hellbender.

* The Secret Life of Honey Bees - Explore the world of bees and why they are important.

* Plant Cell Explorer - Understand that plant genomics are important for the environment, agriculture and human health and that genetic differences among plants allow them to survive in different environments.

* The Face of Farming - Explore the diversity within Indiana's farmers.

* Interactive AgrAbility - Learn about the assistive technology provided by AgrAbility, brought to fairgoers by Purdue Agriculture's Department of Agriculture and Biological Engineering.

* Farm to School - Explore displays that engage children and adults and help them see ways they can make better nutrition choices both at school and at home.

An information booth will serve as a welcome center, and fairgoers will turn in their scavenger hunt game there for a prize.

Purdue master gardeners will staff the Plant Info to Go booth, providing information on plants, gardening and home horticulture.

There also will be a space with rotating exhibits and demonstrations from around Purdue University. 

Demonstrations include fish cleaning, deer processing and their cooking methods; home and family arts; and food and nutrition advice. They will be held on various days during the run of the fair.   

Writer: Keith Robinson, 765-494-2722, robins89@purdue.edu 

Sources: Danica Kirkpatrick, 765-494-9113, danica@purdue.edu

Jeffrey Rollins, 765-429-5409, jjrollin@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

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