Fair receives grant for interactive educational ag venue at 2018 event

Madera District Fair was awarded the 2017 CalAgGrant for their proposed “iFarmers Market,” an interactive educational agriculture venue set to open at the 2018 fair.

The activity center will house tablets featuring curriculum applications created by The American Farm Bureau’s My American Farm project. The second side of the kiosk will feature a play farmers’ market where children will be able role play a Day at the iFarmers’ Market making healthy choices from play produce.

A corn box with play tractors, a pedal tractor play area built with hay bales, a play orchard with immersive educational harvesting activities and a farm animal petting zoo will provide further interactive experiences in the area immediately surrounding the kiosk.

Guests in the venue will find educational graphics and information throughout, with special emphasis and celebration of Madera County commodities as provided by the Madera County Farm Bureau.

The venue will be found adjacent to Lumbertown or, most recently referred to as Tech Town, during the annual run of the Fair.

Madera District Fair opens Thursday, Sept. 6, at 5 pm.