#CFANSproud at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair

In addition to the CFANS exhibit in the Southwest Wing of the Agriculture Horticulture Building, the CFANS community can be found throughout the Fairgrounds, celebrating agriculture and science, and connecting with visitors from across the state. If you are participating in the Fair, let us know!

4-H

CFANS student Lizzie Morris is the State Fair Facilities Coordinator intern for Minnesota 4-H. She will be working behind the scenes in the 4-H Building throughout the Fair. In addition, her family enters maple syrup from their family farm in Dassel, Minnesota in the canning division contest; last year they won a ribbon! 

CFANS student Cam Sharpe is exhibiting her 4-H geology project in the 4-H building. Judging will happen Sunday, August 25, from 5–9 p.m. Good luck Cam! 

Agrilympics

Several CFANS representatives are participating in the Agrilympics, which includes animal calling, cow milking, wool packing, and butter carving.

All You Can Drink Milk Stand

CFANS student Amara Livingston is this year’s Milk Stand Manager. She, and fellow members of the Agricultural Education, Communication and Marketing Club, will be serving Fair visitors all the milk they can drink. If you would like to support the club and volunteer at the milk stand, sign up here. 

Ask A Tree Care Advisor

The Ask A Tree Care Advisor booth in the Eco Experience Building serves as a resource hub for the public to engage directly with UMN Urban & Community Forestry volunteers and staff. We provide research-based answers and information to help fairgoers cultivate healthy trees in their communities.

Bee Beard

A tradition of the U of M Bee Lab, the group will perform a “bee beard” demonstration on Wednesday, August 28 at 1 p.m. in the Agriculture Horticulture Building. Lab members will wear several thousand honey bees—and a queen—on their face and neck. 

Christensen Farms Stage 

Several speakers from CFANS will appear at the Christensen Farms Stage, right next to the CHS Miracle of Birth Center. Look for “CFANS Spotlight Science” on the schedule.

Creative Activities

Applied Plant Sciences graduate student Vincenzo Averello has entered brownies and blondies into the baked products competition. Good luck Vincenzo!

Crop Art

Applied Plant Sciences graduate student Lucas Roberts has seed art on display in the Agriculture Horticulture Building. His piece, titled "Last Light," is made of ornamental flint corn and popcorn. Good luck Lucas!

Driven to Discover

CFANS faculty member Chris Faulk will be sequencing the DNA of a corndog—a first for science—in the Driven to Discover building. The fun experiment is intended to raise awareness of his lab’s research study “Got Snot?”

Eco Experience

Sarah Henderson, a summer lab technician in the Cariveau Native Bee Lab, will be staffing the Bee Lab table in the Eco Experience Building on Thursday, August 29. 

Gopher Dairy Bar

The largest student group on campus is gearing up for its biggest fundraiser of the year. The Gopher Dairy Bar, hosted by the Gopher Dairy Club, serves milk, chocolate milk, and milkshakes.

"Alumni from the club should be sure to attend the Annual Alumni Reunion this year at the Minnesota State Fair to connect with current and past club members," says CFANS student and Gopher Dairy Club President Haley Beukema. The annual alumni reunion will be held at Heffron Park at the Minnesota State Fair on Saturday, August 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. 

Little Farm Hands

CFANS student Amber Findlay will be volunteering at Little Farm Hands, a playful exhibit educating young visitors about the agricultural process, from the farm to the market. Findlay will be volunteering alongside other AgriBank employees as a part of her summer internship.

Marching Band

CFANS students in the University of Minnesota Marching Band will be marching with the Pride of Minnesota on Saturday, August 31 at 2 p.m.

Minnesota Beef Council 

CFANS student Baleigh Peterson is an intern with the Minnesota Beef Council. She has set up and staffed the Beef Council booth several days of the fair. She is showing beef cattle with FFA, and working the Gopher Dairy Bar with the Gopher Dairy Club. Lastly, has helped with the 4-H beef showmanship competition and the 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction. 

Oink Booth

CFANS student Megan Meyer is working with Minnesota Pork to staff the Oink Booth and the Pork Promotion Booth at the Fair. She is also serving at the Gopher Dairy Bar!

Princess Kay of the Milky Way

Two CFANS students—Selena Corona and Rachel Visser—are finalists in the Princess Kay of the Milky Way competition. This year's princess will be announced on Wednesday, August 21, and both students will have their likenesses carved into butter as part of the tradition. 

CFANS student Liv Veiseth is an intern with Midwest Dairy, supporting the Princess Kay program. 

U of M Crossroads Building

Want to take action on climate and be a leader in your community? Come learn how! On Saturday, August 24, the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership will showcase the new Community Climate Leaders program. Learn about easy steps you can take to start making an impact on climate today. 

On Friday, August 30, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Detector volunteers will show common AIS and answer questions about how you can protect Minnesota waters.