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The project includes revamping the visitor center, adding new interactive exhibits, remodeling classroom space and building a new outdoor playground.

Paula Mohr, Editor, The Farmer

June 28, 2021

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2021 was supposed to be the year for Farmamerica to showcase its extensive $850,000 remodel and enhanced year-round programming. Unfortunately, the pandemic last year brought construction and activities nearly to a halt at the Waseca, Minn., site.

“Covid has been both a blessing and a curse,” says Jessica Rollins, Farmamerica executive director. The shutdown forced staff to come up with new ways to share Minnesota’s agricultural story with schools and the public. Staff members created activities such as “field trip in a box” and offered virtual school visits.

Unfortunately, the pandemic slowed fundraising efforts and events.

Now, however, with COVID-19 receding into the background, the Farmamerica board of directors and staff are looking at relaunching fundraising and starting the renovation process this summer. Construction began the week of June 21 on the visitor center. Fundraising efforts will resume next month after a website update. Thus far, $426,000 has been raised in pledges. Another $424,000 is needed to finalize and install the Ag Around You Discovery Center with hands-on exhibits.

Two years ago, Farmamerica announced its goal for the $850,000 remodel. The year prior, staff conducted a feasibility study and held more than 95 meetings with agribusinesses and stakeholders to gather input and support. The input was clear: Upgrades were overdue.

The remodeling plan includes:

• Revamping the visitor center to include hands-on experiences and exhibits that explore agriculture.

• Remodeling an on-site feed mill into a three-season, state-of-the-art classroom and exhibit space.

• Adding an outdoor playground that is accessible to children of all abilities.

“Our facilities and exhibits do a good job of interpreting our past agricultural history and accomplishments, but there are gaps in our story,” Rollins says. “Visitors are not able to see a full picture of agriculture today.” Plus, educational opportunities are limited by Farmamerica having only summer and fall hours.

40-plus and evolving

For more than four decades, Farmamerica has been sharing Minnesota’s agricultural history with school groups, families and other visitors, focusing on agricultural practices and rural life from the late 1800s to the 1930s. The Minnesota Legislature established the Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center in 1978 — now known as Farmamerica — to preserve, celebrate and promote the state’s rich connection to agriculture.

The site began with 40 acres donated by Roy and Marcie Lukken. Today, it encompasses 360 acres, some of which is planted in corn, soybeans, sweet corn, wheat, pumpkins and peas. Currently, there are a visitor center, a pond and prairie, a country church, a one-room schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, a feed mill-grain elevator and a collection of antique farm equipment.

During normal operations, Farmamerica has provided ag education through school field trips, day camps, special events and on-site tours. It also provides ag career exploration in partnership with Junior Achievement and area ag businesses.

In 2019, nearly 12,000 visitors came to Farmamerica. Last year, even during the pandemic, staff managed to reach more than 6,500 people via virtual and scaled-down live events.

Some summer programs are scheduled, such as a Dirt Detectives family farm fun night, and goat yoga. Plans are in the works for Farmamerica’s fifth annual fundraiser in August — Meat-a-palooza. The event features Minnesota meat, beer, wine and spirits, and the experts behind the products. Tickets are available online for the Aug. 12 event.

For more information, visit farmamerica.org.

 

 

About the Author(s)

Paula Mohr

Editor, The Farmer

Mohr is former editor of The Farmer.

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