Agricultural Education Opportunities Debut at the 2014 Iowa State Fair

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A young Fairgoer prepares to follow the Ag-Venture Discovery Trail at the Iowa State Fair.

DES MOINES, IA (07/17/2014)(readMedia)-- The 2014 Iowa State Fair will feature expanded agricultural education including new activities focused on corn, soybeans, hydroponics and dairy cattle. This year's "Amazingly Amusing" celebration runs August 7-17.

This year, Fairgoers of all ages can learn about corn and soybeans at the John Deere Agriculture Building thanks to a new hands-on experience called Farm with Us. The interactive learning destination allows visitors to touch bushels of corn and soybeans and learn how crops grow. A green screen will transport families to Iowa farms for the perfect photo op. A complimentary photo will be emailed to visitors as well as printed.

A short walk from the Agriculture Building, the Animal Learning Center features two new educational experiences. The new hydroponics display teaches young and old alike about the soil-less growing of plants while the Thank a Farmer Wall invites anyone to leave a message for the hard-working farmers of Iowa.

The newly expanded Boulevard of Dairy Breeds, located in the Putney Family Cattle Barn, will focus on the six main breeds of dairy cattle in Iowa with new hands-on activities, cattle, baby calves and the I Milked a Cow display.

New to the Fair is the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Commodity Carnival located in the Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building. Aimed at third through eighth graders, this activity teaches kids what it takes to raise a beef animal and how to discover profit or loss. The Carnival will be operating August 8-16 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Just north of the Animal Learning Center is Kids' Zone featuring the Blue Ribbon Kids' Club Tent and the new location of Seed Survivor. Seed Survivor teaches kids about how seeds interact with the environment. Each participant can plant their own sunflower seed to take home and grow. Blue Ribbon Kids' events begins at 10 a.m. every weekday and features make and take crafts for kids based around day-specific themes like plants, dairy cows and baby animals.

Returning to the 2014 Fair are kid-friendly favorites Ag-Venture Discovery Trail and Grape Getaway. Located next to the Animal Learning Center, Little Hands on the Farm is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Through this interactive adventure, kids can learn what it is like to do chores on a farm and earn play money to spend at the General Store.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. Discounted gate admission tickets are on sale now through our convenient print at home ticket option at iowastatefair.org. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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