Visitors to this year’s Kentucky State Fair, which boasts “all things Kentucky all in one place,” will find the University of Kentucky. 

Each year, the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment hosts an educational exhibit in AgLand, while Cooperative Extension Service personnel facilitate 4-H Cloverville, run livestock shows, judge competitions and more. 

Rachel Guidugli, assistant extension director for Kentucky 4-H Youth Development, said the fair offers an exciting opportunity for staff to see the impact of their work and connect with new audiences. Most of all, the fair is a celebration of the hard work done by youth, their parents and guardians, volunteers and staff. 

“Young people work all year, and in many cases for many years, to gain the skills and knowledge to be able to display their projects in Cloverville, show their animals on the green shavings, give their Country Ham Speech and so much more,” Guidugli said. 

Throughout the year, 4-H members spend six or more hours working individually or in clubs to master specific skills within their chosen project area: natural resources; agriculture; communication and expressive arts; family and consumer sciences; health and wellness; leadership; and science, engineering, and technology. Along the way, they gain valuable competencies, such as public speaking, record-keeping, and decision-making, that lead to 4-H members who thrive and are beyond ready for what the future may hold.  

The fair serves as the pinnacle event for 4-H project work every year. Youth who earn champion status at the county level are invited to compete at the state level, where their projects are displayed for thousands of fairgoers to admire. 

 “The Kentucky State Fair is the perfect opportunity to bring families and communities together to see the best of the best that our Commonwealth has to offer,” Guidugli said.  

In AgLand, which highlights the importance of Kentucky agriculture through exhibitors and vendors, the UK Martin-Gatton CAFE exhibit will showcase resources and opportunities offered by UK. 

The exhibit will celebrate Kentucky’s agriculture commodities through a poster, which will be available for free, and through a large map that features artwork from children across the Commonwealth. Through local extension offices, children colored their county to contribute to the map. Visitors can create their own version on site with coloring sheets and crayons.  

A favorite from last year’s exhibit, the Wildcat Pulling Team’s ¼-scale tractor will return, with additional information about the tractor and competitions.  

A Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) display will feature a horse heart and brain, showcasing research and teaching in one of Kentucky’s signature industries. VDL personnel will also be on-site with additional displays on Sunday, August 17, and Monday, August 18.  

Those interested in Martin-Gatton CAFE academics will also find recruitment information and giveaways. 

“We are excited to be at the Kentucky State Fair among so many friends and supporters of agriculture in Kentucky,” said Laura Stephenson, vice president for land-grant engagement and Martin-Gatton CAFE dean. “We are grateful to everyone who works to make the State Fair a success, and we hope to connect with Kentuckians at our exhibit, in 4-H Cloverville and through judging competitions.”  

Learn more about visiting the 2025 Kentucky State Fair at https://kystatefair.org/. Learn more about Martin-Gatton CAFE and Cooperative Extension at https://www.ca.uky.edu/.    

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Writer: Bailey Vandiver, bailey.vandiver@uky.edu 

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services to individuals and institutions that provide equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.