Fairgoers get up close and personal with the University of Maryland dairy herd at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium
Image Credit: Edwin Remsberg
Welcoming newborn animals into the world… engaging kids in interactive lessons about crops that grow in Maryland… demonstrating how robotic milkers work on dairy farms -- just some of the ways students, faculty, staff and alumni from the University of Maryland’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources are working to make the Maryland State Fair a success again this year.
The fair runs Friday, August 22nd through Monday, September 1st at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. Keep tabs by following the College of AGNR on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@UMD_AGNR), checking out our photo gallery or come by and see us in action at:
THE BIRTHING CENTER:
Led by AGNR Professor Emeritus, Tom Hartsock, Ph.D., animal science students from the College of AGNR will be working around the clock at the Birthing Center overseeing and assisting with live births of calves, litters of piglets as well as hatching chicks. The students also help narrate the births to fairgoers who can witness the miracles first-hand. AGNR students will be using Twitter and Instagram (#statefairbirths) to communicate with the public when a labor has begun. Video presentations will be also available when live births are not taking place. The Birthing Center – always a popular attraction at the fair – is located inside the Cow Palace behind the Dairy Bar.
U-LEARN FARM:
An interactive, educational area designed for students of all ages, U-Learn Farm focuses on teaching children where their food comes from and what crops are grown in Maryland. Kids can decorate their own jars of grain, pose for pictures as various fruits and vegetables, play inside a big corn pit, ride around on a mini tractor and much more.
THE UMD DAIRY HERD EXHIBIT:
The State Fair is a time to shine for the University of Maryland’s very own dairy herd. The cows are on display during the entire 11 days of the state fair, participating in milking demonstrations and generally just showing off for passersby inside the Cow Palace. Students from the College of AGNR will be overseeing the herd and available to answer questions from fairgoers about UMD’s dairy program. Also, be sure to stop by and help us name a newborn calf. You can also see what last year’s state fair calf, named Clarabelle, looks like now at one year old.
HOME AND GARDEN DEMONSTRATIONS:
Experts from the University of Maryland Extension's Home and Garden Information Center and the Maryland Master Gardeners Program will be available to answer any of your gardening questions and to give tips, ideas and demonstrations to help make your own garden bloom better.
4-H EXHIBITS:
The 4-H youth development program is a big part of the work of University of Maryland Extension and the College of AGNR and the State Fair is an important time for 4-Hers from all over the state. They’ll be showing off the conclusion of projects they’ve been working on throughout the year on everything from robotics to livestock and crops to crafts and clothing! Also be sure to stop by the 4-H Foundation’s food booth for tasty treats!
Also, be sure to stop by periodically to keep up with our 2014 State Fair photo gallery.
For a complete schedule of events, visit www.marylandstatefair.com.
