Indiana Farm Bureau Highlights the Importance of Hoosier Agriculture

The 2026 Indiana State Fair

Taste From Indiana Farms event and youth livestock sponsorships return.

Indiana Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farming organization, will once again support agriculture at the Indiana State Fair through sponsored events and programming focused on youth engagement and educating consumers about locally grown foods.

“Indiana Farm Bureau always looks forward to hosting events that support consumer education and youth engagement through our partnership with the state fair,” said Randy Kron, INFB president. “By sharing our story, we hope visitors walk away with a better understanding of the work farmers do every day and our common goal of growing healthy food for everyone.”

The annual Taste From Indiana Farms event, hosted by the INFB Women’s Leadership Committee, will take place in the INFB Fall Creek Pavilion. At this popular, free event, which will be open Thursday, Aug. 13 through Sunday, Aug. 16 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., volunteers will pass out food and drink samples that contain ingredients Indiana farmers produce.

An assortment of commodities will be available for visitors to try, including pumpkin, soybeans, blueberries, grain, dairy, lamb, popcorn and chicken.

This year, attendees will see a female producer highlighted for each of those commodities to celebrate the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

“Taste From Indiana Farms has been a staple of INFB’s presence at the state fair for over 30 years,” said Chelsea Poe, INFB executive director of education and engagement. “Our Women’s Leadership Committee is especially excited this year to spotlight Hoosier female farmers who are dedicated to growing the food we eat and educate fairgoers about those foods grown right here in Indiana.”

INFB will also continue its support of the 4-H youth livestock competitions at this year’s state fair. The organization will be the presenting sponsor of the exhibitor experience on the upper floor of the INFB Fall Creek Pavilion for livestock exhibitors to relax and engage with each other through games and activities taking place Friday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 9.

On Aug. 7, there will be a dirty soda bar from 2 to 4 p.m. for the 4-H livestock exhibitors, and parents can attend from 2 to 6 p.m. to learn about how Indiana Farm Bureau supports youth in agriculture and sign up for a raffle. They’ll also be bringing back the DIY hat bar on Aug. 13 and 15 where exhibitors can choose iron-on patches to customize hats.

INFB will sponsor the 4-H Supreme Drive, which recognizes Indiana’s supreme 4-H dairy cattle, Boer goats, breeding ewes and breeding gilts, on Sunday, Aug. 16 in the Corteva Coliseum. INFB will also sponsor the 4-H Supreme Showmanship competitions, celebrating the representatives of swine, beef, sheep and goats, on Sunday, Aug. 23 in the Corteva Coliseum.

INFB’s dedication to youth in agriculture extends beyond the fair. There are several opportunities for youth to be involved in INFB, with scholarships for graduating seniors and college students; Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters at Purdue, Huntington and Vincennes universities; FFA advocacy days and trainings; grants for FFA chapters and 4-H clubs; and leadership development events, competitions, awards and conferences.

The Indiana State Fair takes place Friday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 23, closed each Monday, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center in Indianapolis.