By Scout Nelson
For nearly three decades, Agriland has been one of the most popular attractions at the Kansas State Fair, giving families and students a chance to explore the world of agriculture. Since 1995, the interactive exhibit in the Pride of Kansas Building has offered visitors a hands-on way to understand how farming connects to everyday life.
The idea for Agriland came after the 1994 fair when Cindy Falk of the Kansas Wheat Commission noticed that interactive booths captured children’s attention. She and Steven Graham, then administrator of the Commission, worked with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, and commodity groups across the state to bring the idea to life.
“Every year, busloads of schoolchildren came to the fair, wide-eyed and ready to explore,” Falk said. “I couldn’t help but think how powerful it would be to have a place just for them, a space where they could see, touch and learn about the important role agriculture plays in their everyday lives.”
The first Agriland exhibit was only 260 square feet, but it quickly grew with support from fair staff. Visitors enjoyed lockers filled with products made from Kansas crops and livestock, climbing into combine cabs, and exploring bins of grains. Falk noted, “Agriculture is the foundation of life, the one industry every person depends on to survive.”
Over the years, Agriland has expanded with new features such as a soil tunnel, cotton display, and Maybelle, an animatronic cow. Children now enjoy the combine simulator, while teachers use lesson plans that connect the fair to classrooms.
For Falk, the most rewarding part is seeing how Agriland has inspired generations. “It is inspiring to see its lasting impact, like the little boy who once perched on a horse saddle in Agriland and is now returning as a high school senior to assist in the exhibit,” she said.
This year, visitors can look forward to a brand-new Gleaner Combine Cab when the Kansas State Fair opens September 5–14, 2024.
Photo Credit:gettyimage-jamesbrey
Categories: Kansas, Crops, Wheat, Education