State fair highlights Delaware’s agriculture industry through July 28
Many Delaware youth and adult exhibitors are ready to showcase their agricultural exhibits at this year’s Delaware State Fair. Along with rides, food and games, the state fair is a great opportunity for fair-goers to learn more about agriculture - Delaware’s top industry.
“I encourage everyone to join our staff down at the Delaware State Fair – one of the best fairs in the United States – to learn about Delaware agriculture and all it does for our consumers and our economy,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse.
More than 99 percent of Delaware’s 2,500 farms are family-owned. Delaware farmers produce a variety of agricultural products on 500,000 acres of farmland, including corn, soybeans, wheat, poultry and livestock, and fruits and vegetables. All of the state’s agricultural commodities can be experienced by visiting the barns and buildings along Holloway Street, from the front of the fair by Quillen Arena back to the 4-H/FFA Building (the Centre) and the Delmarva Building.
As a long-time participant at state fair, Scuse said, “If you have never been to the fair, you really need to step inside the 4-H/FFA Building to see how truly talented our young people involved in these organizations are. At some point, you are going to want to stop into the department’s ag commodities building to learn how to cook with Delaware-grown produce, try your hand at plowing a field on our interactive farm games, and talk with people who are involved in agriculture. Finally, walk through the livestock barns to see the wide variety of animals that our young people are showing. Take time to ask questions and learn where your food comes from. Getting to see a dairy cow up close helps make the connection that milk comes from a cow and doesn’t start its journey to your table at the grocery store.”
Attendees can also get a glimpse of the equine industry throughout fair. Exhibitors will be participating in English and Western classes, showmanship, showing horses in hand, and driving. Harrington Raceway is one of three tracks in Delaware that offers horse racing. On Thursday, July 26, fairgoers are invited to attend harness racing in the M&T Bank Grandstand with a 7 p.m. post time. With more than $550,000 in total purses, the race program will be headlined by four $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund final events for 3-year-olds as well as program staples like the Governor’s Cup, which features some of Delaware’s top horses 3 years old and older. Gov. John Carney will be on hand to present the trophy to the winner.
To find a local farmers market or on-farm market, go to de.gov/buylocal. There will be plenty of Delaware-grown watermelon, peaches, berries, sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and more available in July. For ideas on what to make with all this good food, stop by the DDA Agricultural Commodities Building during the fair to pick up a brand-new recipe collection.
