State Fair Interns Reily Bell, Ashley Tate and Branson Van Fleet talk about their role in bringing the Land & Living exhibit together, as well as what to expect this year.
The Land & Living exhibit at the Ohio State Fair is designed to connect fairgoers to Ohio agriculture in an interactive way. Every year, Ohio Farm Bureau interns are in charge of the different “zones” within the building, including animals, community connections, food, environment, technology and different stage show presentations each day. The exhibit is family friendly and includes a “passport” for youth; as children visit each zone in the building, they get a stamp. After they collect all stamps, they get a sticker!
The intern team has been working diligently to bring their own unique perspectives to this year’s exhibit. Hear from the interns below on what you can expect this year!
What are you most excited about for the state fair?
I am most excited to teach people about why agriculture is so important!
Tell us about your role with the Land and Living exhibit.
I am in charge of the food and environment zones. This year, we have a new water display coming to the environment zone! It will feature a pond with water and nature facts as well as a section on pollinators. Additionally, we have a display highlighting fair foods that contain ingredients from our commodity groups, such as corn, wheat and soy.
What are you most excited about for the state fair?
I am most excited to work with our ambassador team. Each individual has a unique background in agriculture, and I can’t wait to bring all of their experiences together and watch them advocate for our industry.
Tell us about your role with the Land and Living exhibit.
I am in charge of the stage shows and community connections. We have a lot of fan favorites returning to the stage this year, including the Columbus Zoo, Dr. Bob’s Atomic Ice Cream, and Sheep Shearing with Roger High. The Joint Ag Hearing will also take place at the stage Aug. 1. In the community connections section, you will find our photo booth and many businesses and organizations, such as Nationwide, OSU’s Real Money, Real World, USDA, and many more!
What are you most excited about for the state fair?
There are many things I’m excited for at the state fair this year, but I’m most excited for the people! When I worked in the Land & Living building last year as an ambassador, I loved when the doors opened each morning and the building flooded with fairgoers. I had some of the best conversations I’ve ever had about agriculture last year in the building and I met some really amazing people as well. I can’t wait to do it all again this year!
Tell us about your role with the Land and Living exhibit.
I am overseeing the Animal and Technology Zones. We’ve got a lot of great displays and activities returning to both of them, as well as some exciting new ones that will be making their debut this year. Make sure to swing by and check them out!
The Ohio State Fair runs July 26- Aug. 6, 2023, be sure to stop by and check out what the intern team has in store! When it comes to this year’s building, people can expect the same thing that they always have: to learn about Ohio agriculture through fun and interactive activities. Whether it is one of our interactive displays, one of our amazing stage shows, talking to our ambassadors, or more, they will have plenty of opportunities to have fun while learning about one of Ohio’s largest industries.
The Ohio Farm Bureau Land and Living internship and ambassador program are great opportunities to develop organizational and leadership skills while promoting agriculture around the state. You will also find a few representatives from the Ohio Farm Bureau serving on the Ohio State Fair Jr. Fair Board! Jayden Porter and Elsa Lapierre are first year fair board members, and Adrianna Meyer is a returning member from last year.
While visiting the fair, stop in for lunch at the Taste of Ohio Cafe to support some of Ohio’s commodity groups. If you take pictures in the Land and Living building, be sure to tag Ohio Farm Bureau on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. See you at the fair!
This year, the Land and Living Exhibit will be merging with the Little Farmers Exhibit to ensure that Ohio Farm Bureau and agriculture still have a presence outside of the livestock barns.
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