CFANS at the Minnesota State Fair

Agriculture Horticulture Building, Southwest Wing (9 a.m.–9 p.m.)  

CFANS staff, students, and faculty: Sign up to volunteer as a greeter in our CFANS exhibit! Training is provided in advance. You receive a free admission ticket for the day and a CFANS T-shirt. 

Daily Features 

• Play Gopher It! | CFANS 
  Test your smarts and curiosity with Gopher It, a new game from the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). Guess, grab, and discover the surprising science behind food, farming, and the natural world. Plus, get your pair of Goldy Gopher ears while supplies last.

• Growing Answers, One Question at a Time | Master Gardeners
  Got gardening questions? From backyard vegetables to lush landscaping, the University of Minnesota's Master Gardeners are here to help. Stop by to dig into expert advice, tips, and know-how.

• Lawn Goals? We've Got You Covered | Turfgrass Science
  Whether you're going for lush and green, low-maintenance, or pollinator-friendly, University of Minnesota turfgrass experts can help you grow smarter. Stop by for tips on sustainable lawn care that work for you and the environment.

• The Future of Farming in Minnesota | Forever Green Initiative
  Discover the future of farming with Forever Green Initiative. University of Minnesota researchers are developing and improving winter-hardy annual and perennial crops that protect soil and water while creating new economic opportunities for growers, industry, and communities across Minnesota.

Pop Up Learning 

Agriculture Horticulture Building, Southwest Wing (dates and times vary)

• What's Your Fungus Sign? | Plant Pathology 
  Thursday, August 21, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
  Stop by for Mycology Astrology. Find your birthday on our chart and discover the fungus that matches your astrological sign. Brought to you by the U of M Department of Plant Pathology. It's weird, it's fun, it's science.
• Field Research Challenge | Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve 
  Thursday, August 21, 3 p.m.–6 p.m.
  Get hands-on with Minnesota ecology. Explore field research from Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, featuring fun activities on mammals, birds, plants, and more. Discover the science happening in your backyard.
• Field Research Challenge | Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve 
  Friday, August 22, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. 
  Get hands-on with Minnesota ecology. Explore field research from Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, featuring fun activities on mammals, birds, plants, and more. Discover the science happening in your backyard.
• Let's Talk Plants | Applied Plant Sciences 
  Friday, August 22, 3 p.m.–6 p.m.
  Get hands-on with seeds, flowers, and crops. Touch the plant displays and explore the flower parts. Play "Guess the Crop Wild Relative" and chat with U of M Applied Plant Sciences students about all things plants and agriculture.
• Explore Science with CFANS Youth Outreach 
  Saturday, August 23, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
  Dive into hands-on fun with science. Ask questions and discover how CFANS is driving breakthroughs in food, agriculture, and the natural world.
• Get to Know Farm Animals | Animal Science 
  Saturday, August 23, 3 p.m.–6 p.m.
  Get to know farm animals with the U of M Department of Animal Science. Discover fun facts and learn how amazing animals are part of agriculture and our everyday lives.
• Dive Into Marine Biology | Marine Biology Club 
  Sunday, August 24, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
  Explore the wonders of aquatic life with the U of M Marine Biology Club.
• Let's Talk Plants | Applied Plant Sciences 
  Sunday, August 24, 3 p.m.–6 p.m.
  Get hands-on with seeds, flowers, and crops. Touch the plant displays and explore the flower parts. Play "Guess the Crop Wild Relative" and chat with U of M Applied Plant Sciences students about all things plants and agriculture.
• Discover with the Bell Museum 
  Monday, August 25, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 3 p.m.–6 p.m.
  Get curious with hands-on science and nature activities from the Bell Museum. Explore, discover, and learn something about the world around you, right here in Minnesota.
• The Water Bar | Water Resource Sciences 
  Tuesday, August 26, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. 
  Dive into the Water Bar with U of M Water Resource Sciences. Discover where your drinking water comes from by tasting samples from municipal, rural ground, and surface sources. Can you taste the difference?
• What's Your Fungus Sign? | Plant Pathology 
  Tuesday, August 26, 3 p.m.–6 p.m.
  Stop by for Mycology Astrology. Find your birthday on our chart and discover the fungus that matches your astrological sign. Brought to you by the U of M Department of Plant Pathology. It's weird, it's fun, it's science.
• Explore Science With CFANS Youth Outreach 
  Wednesday, August 27, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
  Dive into hands-on fun with science. Ask questions and discover how the University of Minnesota CFANS is driving breakthroughs in food, agriculture, and the natural world.
• Build a Better Future with BBE | Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering 
  Wednesday, August 27, 3 p.m.–6 p.m. 
  Discover how creative problem-solving can build a better future with the U of M Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering. Put your hands and brain to work with fun, interactive activities that explore real-world challenges in sustainability, science, and engineering.
• Who Eats Your Guts | Offal Wildlife Watching Project 
  Thursday, August 28, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
  Get ready for some wild science with the U of M Offal Wildlife Watching Project. Discover the scavengers that clean up offal, the hunter-provided gut piles, and explore Minnesota's food webs.
• Incredible Insects! | Insect Club 
  Friday, August 29, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 3 p.m.–6 p.m.
  Buzz over to explore Minnesota's insects and their role in our environment from the U of M Insect Club. Check out native insect displays, meet live arthropod ambassadors, and spin the trivia wheel for a chance to win prizes.
• Food Science and Nutrition 
  Saturday, August 30, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
  Explore hands-on science from the U of M Department of Food Science and Nutrition that supports a healthier body and a healthier Minnesota. Discover how food and nutrition research shapes what we eat and how we live.
• Build a Better Future with BBE | Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering 
  Saturday, August 30, 3 p.m.–6 p.m.
  Discover how creative problem-solving can build a better future with the U of M Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering. Put your hands and brain to work with fun, interactive activities that explore real-world challenges in sustainability, science, and engineering.
• Play the Watershed Game | Water Resources Center & Minnesota Sea Grant
  Sunday, August 31, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. 
  How healthy is your watershed? Play the Watershed Game to discover how everyday actions impact local lakes, rivers, and streams, and learn what you can do to protect Minnesota's water resources.
• Food Science and Nutrition 
  Sunday, August 31,  3 p.m.–6 p.m.
  Explore hands-on science from the U of M Department of Food Science and Nutrition that supports a healthier body and a healthier Minnesota. Discover how food and nutrition research shapes what we eat and how we live.
• Dive Into Marine Biology | Marine Biology Club 
  Monday, September 1, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. 
  Explore the wonders of aquatic life with the U of M Marine Biology Club.