Minnesota State Fair Introduces New 4H Competitions

Along with dozens of new attractions at the Minnesota State Fair this year are new competitions for Minnesota’s 4H members.

4-H Minnesota Meat Grilling Contest is where teams of 4-H’ers are given 30 minutes to prepare and grill Minnesota-produced meat. Participants are judged on taste, appearance and knowledge of nutrition. Their final product, incorporating competitors’ choice of processed rubs and seasonings, can be the grilled meat itself or the grilled meat worked into a salad creation.

Draft Horse Barrel Racing, which is known for being regal and majestic, draft, horses stretch out their stride and thunder around barrels in this competition making its debut at the State Fair.

The Eco Experience has added new highlights with an array of new exhibits that highlight the latest in easy, everyday reduce-reuse-recycle how-tos, healthy cooking, innovations in green technology and transportation, and other compelling topics on environmentally focused living.

A sampling of what you will find in this years Eco Experience includes a 15-foot Paul Bunyan re-fashions his outfit to call attention to a giant-sized waste problem: Minnesotans throw away nearly 12 grocery carts of clothing and textiles every minute.

A 14-foot-long living green wall created by the University of Wisconsin-River Falls highlights study findings that show foliage can positively impact college students’ wellbeing and academic performance.

An elegant, solar-powered “Getaway Tiny House” features a lofted sleeping and seating area.

A 7-foot tall pop-up book provides photo opportunities while offering a story on reuse, recycle and repair.

Eco Experience is a partnership of the State Fair, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and more than 150 organizations and businesses across the state. It is the largest environmental event of its kind in the country.