See U of M Extension at the 2022 Minnesota State Fair
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu
Find out where and when to see Extension at the fair. All dates and times are subject to change. Efforts will be made to update this listing, but please check Extension's calendar before heading to an event.
Driven to Discover Research Building, 1367 Cosgrove Street
August 26, 1-5 p.m. and Sept 2, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Extension's family resilience educators share the 10,000 Families study of lifestyle behaviors, genetics and environmental exposures of an inclusive sample of Minnesota families.
4-H building and barns
Keep up with 4-H at the State Fair, or use the free 4-H at the Minnesota State Fair app for event schedules, State Arts-In performance times, results, announcements and maps. The first weekend of the fair is livestock encampment. Highlights below are just a sampling of the many 4-H activities.
- Ongoing: Thousands of youth participate, showing exhibits, performing in shows and showing livestock. These activities feature the knowledge and skills 4-H'ers have acquired throughout the year. More than 1,000 "blue ribbon" youth exhibit livestock in the animal barns.
- Ongoing: Exciting scientific activities to try in the 4-H building include virtual reality and engineering challenges.
- Ongoing: 4-H Chef for a Day Cookoff, 4-H building, see list for county-specific times
- Ongoing: State Arts-In performances. Dates and times in the calendar at the link.
- Aug. 25, 8 a.m.: Rabbit judging contest, Poultry Barn.
- Aug. 26, 2 p.m.: Rabbit quiz bowl, 4-H building.
- Aug. 26, 2 p.m.: 4-H beef championship, Warner Coliseum.
- Aug. 26, 6:30 p.m.: Poultry judging contest, Poultry Barn.
- Aug. 27, 8:30 a.m.: Chicken BBQ Contest, east side of Warner Coliseum.
- Aug. 27, 5:45 p.m.: Purple Ribbon livestock auction, Compeer Arena.
- Aug. 27, 6:30 p.m.: Share the Fun performing arts showcase, 4-H building second floor. See Share the Fun for several additional dates.
- Aug. 28, 10:30 a.m.: Dairy showcase, Compeer Arena.
- Aug. 31, 6 p.m.: Llama and alpaca costume contest, Warner Coliseum.
Watch the 4-H live cam
Watch 4-H events, like livestock judging, on the fair's live-streaming camera (the link will become active when the fair begins). Choose "4-H Building Harkness Stage" to watch performing arts shows.
If you go to the "Great Minnesota Get-Together," be sure to participate in fun and educational University of Minnesota Extension activities. Extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education and engages Minnesotans to build a better future.
MPR Booth (corner of Judson and Nelson) with Cathy Wurzer hosting.
- Aug. 25, noon: Mark Seeley, Extension climatologist emeritus, will present the Annual Minnesota Weather Quiz with host Cathy Wurzer.
- Aug. 26, 11 a.m.: Seeley will appear on the TPT Almanac program.
U of M building
- Aug. 26, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.: Extension's Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education team will share information about how to use pesticides safely in your home and garden when they are necessary.
- Sept. 1, 10 a.m.: Gary Wyatt, Extension natural resources educator, will present "Gathering and growing edibles and decoratives from your woodland or backyard." At 11 a.m, Wyatt will present "Woody vegetation identification and management." Outdoor stage.
Eco Experience building
- Aug. 27, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.: The Minnesota Bumble Bee Atlas will highlight public participation in bumble bee surveys.
- Sept. 1, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.: Extension's Invasive Species Citizen Science team will highlight participatory science projects.
- Sept. 1, 2 p.m.: Gary Wyatt, Extension natural resources educator, will present "Gathering and growing edibles and decoratives from your woodland or backyard." Food Stage.
Agriculture-Horticulture building
How much bigger can it get? Visit the fair to find out!
2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the Ag-Hort building and Extension's presence there.
- Daily: Let’s Talk Plants! Get answers to your gardening questions from Master Gardeners volunteers in the CFANS wing.
- Daily: Visit the giant pumpkin contest space to see "Audrey," the pumpkin grown by Extension's own team of regional horticultural educators.
- Aug. 25: 2 p.m.: Learn from Anne Sawyer, Extension water resources educator, how caring for your soil sustains healthy plants and clean water. It can even save you time and money. Dirt Stage.
- Aug. 31, 1 p.m.: The Honey Bees program team's Gary Reuter, Extension entomologist, will wear a 10,000-bee "bee beard." Bees and Honey exhibit.
- Sept. 1, 4 p.m.: Gary Wyatt, Extension natural resources educator, will present "Gathering and growing edibles and decoratives from your woodland or backyard." Dirt Stage.