Fairs are full of opportunities to learn about Wisconsin agriculture. Wisconsin’s agriculture industry is diverse, vibrant, and vital to our communities, providing jobs and contributing more than $104.8 billion to our state’s economy every year.
Wisconsin farmers are working every day of the year to produce safe, nutritious food products for you and for people around the world. The fair is the perfect place to learn about Wisconsin agriculture including where food comes from and the farmers who produce it.
The Compeer Discovery Barnyard at the Wisconsin State Fair is an area where fairgoers of all ages can learn about production agriculture. Kailen Smerchek, the superintendent of the Compeer Discovery Barnyard shares more about what it takes to put on the animal and educational displays.
Preparation for the Wisconsin State Fair starts months in advance and the Compeer Discovery Barnyard is no exception. Smerchek works tirelessly with local agriculturalists to provide livestock and other educational items for fairgoers to interact with.
“This year we are very excited to be back with a hands-on learning barn,” says Smerchek. “It can be as hands on or hands off of an experience as people want to make it.”
The moment you walk into the barn, you can see that there is a lot to do. The Compeer Discovery Barnyard has educational exhibits such as virtual sheep shearing, wool to touch, livestock nutrition, and livestock judging. The barnyard also includes pedal tractor driving, coloring, and nine different animal species.
Smerchek adds that their prime priority is to make sure that all of the livestock are being cared for very well. State FFA Officers along with Smercheck work day and night to ensure proper animal care for the dairy calves, beef, goats, lambs, ducklings, hatching chicks, chickens, rabbits, and piglets.
“Our main goal is for the average person who doesn’t get to be around livestock every day to experience and see the animals in real life and learn something new about production agriculture,” says Smerchek.
The Compeer Discovery Barnyard helps to fill in the gap between consumers and production agriculture. The Barnyard is open throughout Wisconsin State Fair which is happening now through August 14 in West Allis.
Leave a Reply