New pig barn and egg barn enhance agriculture education at Indiana State Fair’s Little Hands on the Farm

Two new additions to Little Hands on the Farm at the Indiana State Fair will help thousands of children and families better understand where their food comes from and how Indiana farmers care for their animals.

Representatives of Indiana’s pork and egg farmers gathered for a ribbon cutting celebrating the opening of a new Pig Barn and Egg Barn at Little Hands on the Farm. The new Pig Barn was donated by Hog Slat, while the new Egg Barn was donated by Rose Acre Farms with support from SUMMIT/FBi Buildings and Big Dutchman.

Little Hands on the Farm is one of the Indiana State Fair’s most popular agricultural education experiences, giving children the opportunity to “farm” their way through a hands-on journey that demonstrates how food travels from the farm to the grocery store. The new barns provide updated, interactive spaces where young visitors can learn more about modern pig farming and egg production in Indiana.

The impact of the two new facilities will extend well beyond the State Fair’s annual 18-day run. Nearly 900,000 people attend the Indiana State Fair each year, giving hundreds of thousands of families the opportunity to experience Little Hands on the Farm. In addition, approximately 22,000 students visit the attraction through school field trips during the academic year, making the barns a year-round investment in agricultural education.

“Little Hands on the Farm gives families an opportunity to make a connection between the food on their plates and the farmers who produce it,” said Becky Joniskan, President of the Indiana State Poultry Association. “Thanks to the generosity of Hog Slat and Rose Acre Farms, we can continue telling the story of Indiana agriculture in a fun, memorable, and hands-on way."

"These buildings will help educate not only State Fair visitors this summer, but tens of thousands of Indiana students for years to come," said Jeanette Merritt, Director of Communications for Indiana Pork. “These barns are a great way to showcase modern pork and egg production."

Representatives from Hog Slat, Rose Acre Farms, SUMMIT/FBi Buildings, and Indiana agriculture participated in the ribbon cutting at the new barns, officially welcoming visitors into the spaces.

The Pig Barn introduces children to Indiana’s pork industry and provides a glimpse into how pigs are raised and cared for on today’s farms. Indiana is the 5th largest pork-producing state, making pork production an important part of the state’s agricultural economy and rural communities.

The Egg Barn gives visitors an opportunity to see cage-free egg production up close, from how hens are cared for to how eggs make their way from Indiana farms to consumers. Rose Acre Farms, headquartered in Seymour, Indiana, is one of the nation’s leading egg producers.

By investing in Little Hands on the Farm, Hog Slat and Rose Acre Farms are helping create opportunities for children to experience agriculture firsthand.

The new Pig Barn and Egg Barn are now open to visitors at Little Hands on the Farm throughout the Indiana State Fair.