Celebrate Maryland Agriculture with fair visit

By JOSEPH BARTENFELDER
Maryland Agriculture Secretary

As secretary of agriculture, I am invited to participate in many of the state’s fine fairs, and I try to attend as many as I can. They are really the culmination of a great deal of hard work, good ideas and a lot of fun.

We as farmers put on our Sunday best and showcase our industry and its value to the public with friendly competition and educational activities.
I have fond memories of participating in agricultural fairs and shows and even fonder memories of my children participating. I look forward to my grandkids doing the same thing.

While there is lots to do at the fair, agriculture is still a large component of what goes on at the fair with young people from all across our great state showing their prize animals, fruits and vegetables.  These young people are our future in agriculture. Their skills and enthusiasm are very encouraging for the future of the industry as a whole.

While you are having a good time exploring the Maryland State Fair, remember that what it really celebrates is all of the success of our state’s agriculture and what it represents to our state economy, environment, culture and quality of life.

And while you are at it, I invite you to see the Maryland Department of Agriculture displays in the Exhibition Hall and the Farm and Garden Building where we are trying to tell agriculture’s story.

MDA does more than just work with farmers to ensure sound farmland management practices. It helps ensure the wise use of fertilizers and pesticides, monitors the accuracy of weights and measures, controls mosquito populations, and protects the health of humans and animals…and much more.

MDA will highlight many of the services it provides to improve the quality of life in Maryland during the 134th Maryland State Fair, Aug. 28 to Sept. 7, in the Farm & Garden Building, at the fairgrounds in Timonium.

This year, the state chemist will show youngsters how to make snow in its creation lab. Stop by and make a bumble bee from pipe cleaners and learn about pollinator habitat. Or play a little mini-golf game while learning about different agricultural commodities. There will also be an agriculture photo booth and interactive agricultural computer games.

The Maryland State Fair will celebrate “Agriculture Day at the Fair” on Thursday, Sept. 3 with a luncheon and tour of the fairgrounds, by invitation.

New this year, is the MY Maryland Horse Festival/Horse Land, in addition to the racing events and shows. The tented Horse Land, located between the carnival Kiddie Land and the Grandstand, will feature a variety of equine demonstrations, children’s activities, and a pony and donkeys. Youth can make stick horses and be able to race them on a kiddie-size racetrack as well as jump over a small obstacle course. And, an Equicizer will be available for folks to get the feel of riding a horse.

Be sure to check out U-Learn Farm in the Cow Palace too. Each day, U-Learn Farm will feature a different agriculture industry with a variety of fun and educational hands-on activities and exhibits to show kids of all ages how agriculture impacts their daily lives.

The 11-day festival will feature thousands of home arts and agricultural exhibits, daily livestock and horse shows, a wide variety of midway rides and games, thoroughbred horse racing and national entertainment. Don’t forget to save room for the great Maryland food at the Maryland Food Pavilion.

Please take time to enjoy the terrific Ag exhibits, from animals to zucchini… as well as the rest of the State Fair. For more State Fair information, visit www.marylandstatefair.com.