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Here are our family-favorite activities and must-see places to visit at the state fair.

August 8, 2019

2 Min Read
Mo State Fair ag building exhibit
LARGE PRODUCE: Who can grow the largest watermelon in the state? Find out in the Agriculture Building at the Missouri State Fair.

The Missouri State Fair is in full swing, and there are plenty of agriculture education opportunities for fairgoers.

Here are a few exhibits and interactive events you don’t want to miss during this year’s Missouri State Fair from Aug. 8-18 in Sedalia, Mo.:

The Agriculture Building. Exhibits from the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Missouri farmers, ranchers and commodity groups offer kid-friendly, hands-on interaction with agriculture.

Missouri Grown Market. Located inside the Agriculture Building, it offers fresh and nutritious products grown in the Show-Me State.

AgVenture. A fair kid favorite, this area in the Agriculture Building offers opportunities to get up close with agriculture with activities such as milking a cow, touching grain seeds and more.

kids playing in corn

BETWEEN THE TOES: Kids can dip their toes and wiggle their fingers in a tractor tire full to the brim with corn. It offers kids a hands-on feel for agriculture, and parents a few minutes to relax. It’s located in the Agriculture Building.

4-H Building. Here you will find the top 4-H projects from each county on display. Listen to a demonstration by a 4-H member. There also is a space for kids to create crafts.

FFA Building. Inside are ag education displays from FFA chapters. Members also bring in commodities — such as corn, soybeans and wheat — for judging. Head outside to look at restored tractors or trailers built from the ground up by FFA members.

Wine 101. Missouri Wines offers Wine 101 classes. This year, pair Missouri wines with cheese and beef.

Let’s Talk Livestock. This showcases showmanship, animal care and more with demonstrations by state fair exhibitors and their show livestock. They are located at different barns throughout the fair. Check the daily program details for exact locations and times.

Barnyard Story Time. This program offers young fairgoers a chance to take a seat and listen to an agriculture storybook read by a state fair exhibitor. It’s located in the Barnyard.

Agriculture Education Trading Cards. Back by popular demand, fairgoers can collect all 10 and learn about agriculture and the state fair.

Demonstration for all ages. Additional demonstrations in the Floriculture Building, Consumer Showcase Stage in the Home Economics Building, and Healthy Food Demonstrations by the University of Missouri Extension in the Mo-Ag Theatre showcase the diversity of Missouri agriculture.

Photo shoots. Capture moments at the Missouri State Fair at nine photo stations located around the fairgrounds. The stations feature four of the designs from last year and five brand-new ones, including a Growth Chart, Home Economics themed, dairy products themed, My First Fair and Bart’s Barn. Use the hashtag #MSFPhotoStation on social media.

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