Purdue Extension to present engaging art and nature demonstrations at Indiana State Fair

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Fair kicks off Aug. 2 and highlights the theme “The Art & Nature of Fun” in collaboration with Newfields. Fairgoers will have the opportunity to speak with Purdue University representatives about agricultural and nature-related topics, which are available year-round through Purdue Extension.

“Purdue Extension is excited to once again be part of the 2024 Indiana State Fair. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of 4-H youth from across the state and to showcase our diverse programs,” said Angie Abbott, interim director of Purdue Extension and associate dean in the College of Agriculture. “This event provides the opportunity to engage with stakeholders from across Indiana, offering attendees the chance to learn about sustainable practices and healthy lifestyles through our interactive demonstrations and activities. We are particularly looking forward to the educational exhibits at the Purdue Extension Building, where attendees can connect with various Extension experts and engage with rotating interactive displays.” 

The Purdue Extension Building, on the north side of the fairgrounds, will feature activities for all ages aligned with the fair’s theme, including:

• Block Party: Children ages 8 months to 8 years can engage in block play to enhance a variety of school-readiness skills.
• Book Party: Focus on math skills, a crucial predictor of academic achievement from kindergarten through adulthood.
• Captain Cash: Learn four smart ways to handle money and acquire basic financial management skills.
• Engage with Purdue Extension specialists: Interact with experts in fields such as entomology, human health and sciences, forestry and natural resources, and animal sciences.
• Master Gardener: Discover annuals and vegetable plants suited to Indiana’s climate and learn how to properly care for them.
• Pollinators: Learn about pollinators and their essential role in producing fantastic food and fabulous flowers.

Here are additional Purdue events available during the fair:

Food science fun: Exploring food safety and ingredients

From 1-7 p.m. EDT Aug. 7, the Food Science Department will be hosting “What’s Growing on My Spinach?” in the Purdue Extension Building. This interactive activity explores food microbiology, sparking conversations about essential food safety measures. Participants will plate bacteria from spinach leaves onto petri dishes to observe the microbial growth on their spinach samples firsthand.

During the exhibit, Purdue’s food science team will offer samples of “Cricket Rice Krispies Treats” — rice cereal treats infused with cricket powder. As they distribute treats, team members will engage fairgoers in conversations about alternative proteins and the use of insects as a food ingredient. Additionally, staff from the Food Entrepreneurship and Manufacturing Institute will share insights into their work with Hoosier food entrepreneurs and distribute samples of Boilermaker Hot Sauce, developed by Purdue students from food science and horticulture. 

Seed art: Where creativity meets nature

Seed art will be showcased in each livestock barn, visually representing the fair’s theme and encouraging attendees to explore all fair sites for additional art displays. Within livestock stalls, seed art will depict the respective animals, offering children opportunities to place seeds on various art boards. Alongside the seed art, information about the animals’ diet and nutritional needs will be available. In the Purdue Extension Building, seed art will illustrate each Purdue Extension exhibit, providing children with creative, hands-on learning about various agricultural topics.

Pioneer Village: Time travel to the 1800s

Between the Machinery Field and the MHS Family Fun Park, Pioneer Village transports fairgoers to the 1800s. Sponsored by the Purdue Ag Alumni Association, the village offers guests the opportunity to enjoy antique tractors, the farm toy show, a fiddler’s contest, a liar’s contest, the Opry House and much more.

The Indiana State Fair, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis, will welcome visitors from Friday, Aug. 2, through Sunday, Aug. 18. Purdue Extension exhibits are located throughout the fairgrounds, spanning the 4-H Exhibit Hall, 4-H Centennial Hall, Ball State University Champions Pavilion, Blue Ribbon Pavilion, DNR Complex, Expo Hall, Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Northwest Pavilion, Pathway to Water Quality, Pioneer Village, Pop Weaver Youth Pavilion, Purdue Extension Building, Purdue Vet Med Exhibit and West Pavilion. 

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research institution demonstrating excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities and with two colleges in the top four in the United States, Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, including nearly 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 13 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, Purdue Computes and the One Health initiative — at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives. 

Writer/Media contact: Devyn Raver, draver@purdue.edu

Source: Angie Abbott, abbottar@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: 765-494-8415;

Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu

Agriculture News Page