By Blake Jackson
Visitors to the 2025 Kentucky State Fair, celebrated as showcasing “all things Kentucky all in one place,” will once again find a strong presence from the University of Kentucky.
Each year, the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) highlights its work through an educational display in AgLand, while Cooperative Extension staff oversee 4-H Cloverville, livestock shows, competitions, and more.
Rachel Guidugli, assistant extension director for Kentucky 4-H Youth Development, explained that the fair is both a showcase and a celebration of the community’s efforts. “Young people work all year, and in many cases for many years, to gain the skills and knowledge to be able to display their projects in Cloverville, show their animals on the green shavings, give their Country Ham Speech and so much more,” Guidugli said.
Throughout the year, 4-H members commit significant time to developing skills in areas ranging from agriculture and natural resources to expressive arts, leadership, and science.
These projects teach public speaking, record-keeping, decision-making, and other essential life skills. The fair represents the pinnacle of this work, where county champions move on to state-level competitions, giving their projects statewide visibility.
“The Kentucky State Fair is the perfect opportunity to bring families and communities together to see the best of the best that our Commonwealth has to offer,” Guidugli added.
AgLand, which focuses on Kentucky agriculture, will feature the Martin-Gatton CAFE exhibit, celebrating the state’s agricultural commodities.
Visitors can pick up a free poster and enjoy a collaborative map created by children across Kentucky, who colored their counties through local extension programs. Attendees can also contribute their own version on-site.
Popular features return this year, including the Wildcat Pulling Team’s ¼-scale tractor and interactive learning stations. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will display a horse heart and brain, with additional demonstrations on August 17 and 18.
“We are excited to be at the Kentucky State Fair among so many friends and supporters of agriculture in Kentucky,” said Laura Stephenson, vice president for land-grant engagement and Martin-Gatton CAFE dean. “We are grateful to everyone who works to make the State Fair a success, and we hope to connect with Kentuckians at our exhibit, in 4-H Cloverville and through judging competitions.”
Learn more about the 2025 fair at kystatefair.org.
Photo Credit: university-of-kentucky
Categories: Kentucky, Business, Education