INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Farm Bureau will once again support agriculture at this year’s Indiana State Fair. The sponsored events and programming showcase INFB’s commitment to youth in agriculture and highlight local foods produced in Indiana.
While the activities this year celebrate the 2022 season, another partnership taking shape is the new Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, which is being built on the site of the former Swine Barn and is scheduled to be complete by summer 2023.
“INFB and the Indiana State Fair have been partners for a century,” said Randy Kron, INFB president. “We are excited to continue that partnership for years to come and look forward to the new Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion just in time for next year’s fair.”
“The new structure will be multiuse, but it also will be a best-in-class livestock facility that I think will please livestock exhibitors across the state,” Kron added. “In the meantime, we are always eager to share the story of agriculture and ready to do that with this year’s fairgoers.”
This year’s INFB programming and events include:
Taste From Indiana Farms
Taste From Indiana Farms returns, hosted by the INFB Women’s Leadership Committee. At this free event, which will take place Wednesday, Aug. 17 through Saturday, Aug. 20 in the Indiana Arts Building from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., volunteers will pass out food and drink samples that contain ingredients produced on Indiana farms.
For nearly 30 years, the Women’s Leadership Committee has coordinated this popular event. In 2021, more than 10,000 attendees sampled commodities and learned about the vast array of foods grown in Indiana.
An assortment of commodities will be available for visitors to try, including dairy, field corn, honey, lamb, popcorn, soybeans, beef, pork, poultry and watermelon.
“We are always thrilled to be at the state fair and share the importance of agriculture with consumers,” said Isabella Chism, INFB 2nd vice president and chair of the Women’s Leadership Committee. “Visitors who stop by Taste From Indiana Farms have the opportunity to learn how food is grown, ask questions about the process and taste the wide variety of commodities grown right here in the Hoosier state.”
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 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 all livestock species, as well as Supreme Showmanship.
INFB also will sponsor the 4-H Supreme Drive, which recognizes Indiana’s supreme 4-H dairy cattle, Boer goats and breeding ewes, and will take place Sunday, Aug. 14 at 4 p.m. in the Indiana Farmers Coliseum.
“Supporting youth in agriculture is essential because the young people exhibiting at the state fair become the future leaders of the Indiana agriculture community,” said Becca Bonnell, INFB youth engagement coordinator.
INFB’s dedication to youth in agriculture doesn’t just happen at 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; FFA advocacy days and trainings; and leadership development events, competitions, awards and conferences.
The Indiana State Fair takes place Friday, July 29 through Sunday, Aug. 21, closed each Monday and Tuesday, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center in Indianapolis.
— Indiana Farm Bureau
