When visiting the Indiana State Fair, Indiana Farm Bureau is practically impossible to miss. From sponsoring youth livestock events to welcoming thousands of fairgoers inside the air-conditioned Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, the organization’s presence spans across the entire fairgrounds.
One of the premier highlights of the fair is the annual “Taste from Indiana Farms” event. Held inside the pavilion, the four-day event attracts over 10,000 visitors annually, offering fairgoers a chance to sample locally produced foods across 10 different commodity stations while learning directly from local producers. This year’s event carries special significance as it aligns with the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
“This year, we’re celebrating the International Year of the Woman Farmer,” said Megan Ritter, Chief Operating Officer of Indiana Farm Bureau. “And so, every commodity that we are featuring this year at The Taste… we are going to be featuring a female farmer. We’re so excited to be able to do that.”
Samples will range from popcorn to fresh blueberries, and fairgoers can stop by from Thursday, August 13 through Sunday, August 16 between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily.
Beyond hosting fairgoers, INFB remains heavily dedicated to supporting 4-H youth and livestock exhibitors. The organization sponsors key events like the Supreme Drive, they provide every youth exhibitor with a welcome gift upon arrival, and they host networking gatherings across the livestock barns for both youth and parents.
Ritter emphasized that building these positive experiences helps cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders, sharing that young people consistently express a desire to make a tangible impact.
“I don’t know how many times I have heard young people say, ‘I want to be a voice. I want to have a voice in this industry and I want to be part of making the industry better,’” Ritter noted. “What better way than a grassroots organization like Farm Bureau to have that voice be heard and really drive change, and the kind of change that they want to see in the organizations that really represent agriculture?”
Whether through 4-H, collegiate chapters, or active county Farm Bureaus established across all 92 Indiana counties, INFB provides multiple avenues for leadership and involvement. For more information about state fair activities, upcoming events like the Critical Issues Summit, or how to get involved locally, fairgoers can visit infb.org.
