Discover soy’s role in food, fuel and farming at the fair

August 7, 2025 | Kriss Nelson

The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) is spotlighting the role soy plays in fueling and feeding Iowans and the world during the “Fair Sweet Fair” fun, Aug. 7-17, at the 2025 Iowa State Fair.

Iowa Food and Family Project

This year, the Iowa Food and Family Project invites you to step into “Our Iowa Farm Experience” in the southeast atrium of the Varied Industries Building. This immersive exhibit is packed with interactive, high-tech fun that connects fairgoers to the people and places behind their food. Experience the sights, sounds and stories of Iowa farms like never before — from tractors and technology to animals and the families who care for them.

Add your mark to the growing “Our Iowa Farm Experience” digital mural by coloring a farm-themed page, scanning it and watching it come to life on a big screen. Then test your ag knowledge with our lively Spin Wheel game for fun prizes and snap a photo in our farm-inspired selfie station.

New for 2025, discover how your favorite foods make the journey from the farm to the grocery store. Simple, playful animations share how farmers raise turkeys, hens, pigs and cattle and grow crops with care. Go behind the scenes to explore the thoughtful steps taken to ensure our food supply is safe, nutritious and responsibly produced.

Hands-on farming

Located in the Kids Zone near Gate 15, Little Hands on the Farm gives young fairgoers ages 2 to 10 a chance to become farmers. Along the interactive path, they collect items from stations like a grain bin, garden, chicken coop and dairy barn where they can learn how agriculture, including soybeans, plays a role in their everyday lives. After collecting these items, they’ll sell them at the Little Hands on the Farm Farmers’ Market for such items as a piece of fruit, a granola bar or an ice cream sandwich.

Talking soybeans

ISA will be present at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Choose Iowa booth located in the historic Agriculture Building.

Soybean farmers will be at the booth on both Thursdays of the fair, talking with consumers about their farms and soybean products. Fairgoers can also vote for their favorite soy-based product.

Soy-powered transport

ISA and the Iowa Biodiesel Board will once again sponsor the biodiesel-powered trams that help transport fairgoers to and from the campgrounds and east parking lots.

Written by Kriss Nelson.

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