#CFANSproud at the Minnesota State Fair
From showing animals, growing vegetables, judging contests, and more, the CFANS community can be found throughout the Fairgrounds, joining in the festivities.
August 5, 2025
In addition to the CFANS exhibit in the Agriculture Horticulture Building (Southwest Wing), 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!
All You Can Drink Milk Stand
CFANS students and 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, sign up for a shift at the milk stand here.
Ask a Tree Care Advisor
UMN Urban & Community Forestry volunteers and staff will be at the Ask A Tree Care Advisor booth daily at the Eco Experience. They can provide research-based answers and information to help fairgoers cultivate healthy trees in their communities.
Bee Beard
Brave beekeepers from the UMN Bee Squad will wear a beard of 7,000 buzzing honey bees in front of a live audience on Wednesday, August 27 at 1 p.m. in the Bee Booth in the Agriculture Horticulture Building. Watch the demo, then browse bee art or try delicious honey from around the state.
Dig It! The Secrets of Soil
Extension educators Gabi Bolwerk and Bailey Tangen from the Water Resources Center will be volunteering at Dig It! The Secrets of Soil on Saturday, August 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesday, August 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Eco Experience. Meet Minnesota soils and discover a whole new world beneath your feet through an interactive exhibit. Come see the power of a raindrop and how we protect our soil above and below the surface.
Gopher Dairy Bar
The largest student group on the St. Paul 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 Reunion: Alumni of the GDC are invited to join together and enjoy food and beverages provided by the club to commemorate another year of success for the Gopher Dairy Club. The annual alumni reunion will be held at Heffron Park at the Minnesota State Fair on Saturday, August 23 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Heffron Park on the Fairgrounds.
Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership
Climate scientists from the Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership will be presenting and answering questions on Monday, August 21, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Eco Experience.
Offal Wildlife Watching Project
The Offal Wildlife Watching Project will be exhibiting throughout the Fair at the DNR Building, the Eco Experience, and with CFANS in the Agriculture Horticulture Building, talking with fairgoers about research goals, results, and how they can get involved.
The Pride of Minnesota
CFANS students in the University of Minnesota Marching Band and Color Guard will be marching with the Pride of Minnesota in a parade on Saturday, August 30 at 2 p.m. The 14-block parade route begins near the Haunted House, goes north on Cosgrove Street, west on Randall Avenue, and south on Underwood Street, ending just south of the Haunted House.
Princess Kay of the Milky Way
Three University of Minnesota students—Paige Frenchick, Alexis Hoefs, and Haylie Wielenberg—are finalists in the Princess Kay of the Milky Way competition. This year's princess will be announced on Wednesday, August 20, and each student will have her likeness carved into butter as part of the tradition.
Water Quality Matters
Faculty member Jess Gutknecht will present "Water Quality Matters" on Saturday, August 23 at 12 p.m. and Friday, August 29 at 4 p.m. on the Christensen Farms Stage, right next to the CHS Miracle of Birth Center.
Weavers Guild
Horticulture researcher Matt Hollen will present perennial flax fiber research to create sustainable yarns with the Weavers Guild of Minnesota on Monday, August 25 at 10 a.m., noon, and 1:30 p.m. in the Creative Activities Building.
Wonderful Water Day
Researchers from the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) will exhibit on Wonderful Water Day on Wednesday, August 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the DNR Building.
