Take in more than the midway

August until late October is agricultural fair season in North Carolina. County and regional agricultural fairs across the state and the State Fair in Raleigh will host about three million visitors during fair season. Many of the fairs depend heavily on county Extension centers for everything from leadership to elbow grease as they showcase agriculture and support local 4-H.

The first agricultural fairs, in the early 1800s,  played a major role in publicizing advances in farm equipment. There was also a strong educational component to agricultural fairs from the outset, as they often gave many visitors their first-ever experience in a gallery or museum. That tradition has evolved but remains at staunchly at the core of these fairs, as educational exhibits and demonstrations that demystify technology or enrich life skills are as much a part of the fairs as Ferris wheels and cotton candy.

SAES faculty, staff and students who find themselves among the three million visitors at one of North Carolina’s agricultural fairs in the next few weeks are encouraged to make time for a tour of the educational exhibits. If you come across an exhibit or demonstration that’s the handiwork of a member of The Cooperative Extension Program at A&T’s field staff and get a chance to compliment them on their work, please take advantage of the opportunity.

Posted September 5, 2007 04:10 PM

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