Writer: Gabe Saldana, 956-408-5040, gabe.saldana@ag.tamu.edu
DALLAS — The agencies of Texas A&M AgriLife will converge at the State Fair of Texas through October with live demonstrations and teaching installations on food production systems, natural resource conservation, nutritious eating and youth education for healthier Texans, organizers said.
A schedule of Texas A&M AgriLife’s State Fair attractions and locations is available at https://tinyurl.com/AgriLifeStateFair2018.
“A statewide event like this allows us to reach thousands of Texans at once with information that benefits our health, wellbeing and development,” said Paula Butler, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service regional program leader in Dallas.
On display
AgriLife Extension’s presence at the 24-day fair includes healthy cooking demonstrations, a permanent exhibit on food’s agricultural path to the plate and 12 days of hands-on learning for third and fourth grade students about how agriculture affects daily living and health.
Also stationed at Fair Park throughout the fair will be the Texas A&M AgriLife water education display by the Dallas-based Water University program.
“The display provides a series of colorful, modern infographic instructions — do-it-yourself projects for water conservation,” said Clint Wolfe, Water University program leader. “Our goal is to provide activities that are already interesting to people but naturally protect water resources.”
Meanwhile, Texas 4-H, administered by AgriLife Extension, will conduct the state fair’s official agricultural youth challenges. They include an agriculture robotics challenge, state and national food competitions, the 4-H Texas Style Food Showdown and a public speaking contest.
“It’s a great chance to showcase all the knowledge and skills our 4-H members acquire with their participation in these programs,” said Derrick Bruton, AgriLife Extension 4-H specialist in Dallas.
Rounding out AgriLife’s State Fair presence is the Texas A&M Forest Service with a schedule of presentations running from late September through the end of the fair. They include live presentations on the importance of conserving tree populations, fire prevention and fighting woodland fires. A seedling giveaway and photo opportunities with Smokey Bear will also take place.
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