Locations

The University of Minnesota has been at the State Fair since 1859—one year after Minnesota became a state! The U of M Central Building highlights some of our educational, research, and outreach efforts that contribute to a healthier and more prosperous Minnesota.

Stop by the Dairy Bar for a cool shake or a refreshing glass of milk. The bar is operated by students and proceeds benefit student activities.

• Play Gopher It! | CFANS 
  Test your smarts and curiosity with Gopher It, a new game from the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). Guess, grab, and discover the surprising science behind food, farming, and the natural world. Plus, get your pair of Goldy Gopher ears while supplies last.

• Growing Answers, One Question at a Time | Master Gardeners
  Got gardening questions? From backyard vegetables to lush landscaping, the University of Minnesota's Master Gardeners are here to help. Stop by to dig into expert advice, tips, and know-how.

• Lawn Goals? We've Got You Covered | Turfgrass Science
  Whether you're going for lush and green, low-maintenance, or pollinator-friendly, University of Minnesota turfgrass experts can help you grow smarter. Stop by for tips on sustainable lawn care that work for you and the environment.

• The Future of Farming in Minnesota | Forever Green Initiative
  Discover the future of farming with Forever Green Initiative. University of Minnesota researchers are developing and improving winter-hardy annual and perennial crops that protect soil and water while creating new economic opportunities for growers, industry, and communities across Minnesota.
   

• Daily, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.: Let’s Talk Plants! Get answers to your gardening questions from Master Gardeners volunteers. CFANS wing.
• Daily: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.: Turfgrass science and sustainable lawn care that works for you and the environment. CFANS wing.
• Aug. 21, 3 p.m.: How to grow giant pumpkins. Dirt Stage.
• Aug. 27, 1 p.m.: A Honey Bees program team member will wear a 10,000-bee "bee beard." Bees and Honey exhibit.
• Aug. 28, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Come talk guts with Extension's The Offal Wildlife Watching project! CFANS pop-up table.
• Aug. 28, 4 p.m.: Gary Wyatt, Extension natural resources educator, will discuss Fruits and Nuts from the Woods or Back Yard. Learn how to gather foods and decoratives from Minnesota woodlands (know the laws). Fruit and nut producing plants can also be planted in your own yard. Wyatt covers hazelnuts, aronia berry – black chokeberry, juneberry, elderberry, honeyberry/haskap, dogwoods, willows and more. Dirt Stage.
  

Watch as University of Minnesota veterinary students and faculty work with veterinarians from across the state to assist with births and answer questions.

Watch as veterinarians from across the state—assisted by University of Minnesota students—demonstrate live spaying/neutering surgeries.

See the impressive work by Minnesota 4-H’ers, including more than 7,000 exhibits, workshops, and hands-on demonstrations ranging from photography to robotics.

Explore a wide array of research projects at the Driven to Discover Research Facility! We invite you to make your voice heard by participating in one of our many studies ranging from health and medicine to engineering, environmental science, language development and more! There's something for everyone at D2D - from kids to older adults - come learn about science and research and help find solutions to challenges we all face in today's world.

Come meet raptors up close and personal! An expert from the Raptor Center will have live birds out on the glove, explaining their unique and important role in our environment. The Raptor Center ensures the health of raptors and the world we share, specializing in the medical care, rehabilitation, and conservation of eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, osprey, and vultures.

Daily, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.: Minnesota Master Naturalists, as well as Extension volunteers in forestry and wildlife, and Pollinator Ambassadors, will be outside the DNR building on the southwest side, near the fish pond. Fairgoers can play a trivia game to receive a collectible card for playing and polished Lake Superior agate if they answer correctly.

Daily, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.: Come talk guts with Extension's The Offal Wildlife Watching project! They are researching deer-hunter-provided gut piles and the scavengers that eat them. Learn how discarded gut piles (offal) left behind during the hunting season feed Minnesota scavengers and how they fit into wildlife food webs. Volunteer hunters set up trail cameras to help Extension collect data and there are neat discoveries to share! Learn how you can be involved.