JULY 1997
Vol. 6, NO. 3

AURI in 'Agri-Land'

State Fair exhibit brings agriculture to urban fairgoers

St. Paul, Minn. -- From prize pigs and pumpkins to tractors and threshers, farming and its industrial aids have been the focus of the Minnesota State Fair since its beginnings in the 1860s. This year, the Great Minnesota Get Together introduces a new agricultural exhibit aimed at urban consumers.

"Agri-Land" should help drive home the connection between farmer and consumer, organizers say. Gleaming rows of implements on what used to be a must-stop for farmers -- Machinery Hill -- have given way to a 6,000-square-foot building with crop plots and antique machinery outside. Exhibitors, including AURI, will educate urban consumers about agriculture and showcase the latest ag technology to all audiences.

"People definitely want to learn about technology in a fun and interesting way," says Rick Krueger, president of the Minnesota High Technology Council, which is organizing the exhibit. "And the better we can connect the rural area with the metro, the better we'll all be."

"We are very excited to be a part of Agri-Land," adds David Bartholomay, AURI deputy director for planning and development. "AURI and many of our clients are involved in some cutting-edge technologies which many people are not aware of."

As most fair-goers are from the metro area, organizers of Agri-Land are eager to seize the opportunity to educate consumers about what is happening in the ag processing arena.

"It is a more urban audience, which reflects the population of the state as a whole," says State Fair marketing director Susan Ritt. "Agri-Land will give people who haven't had a chance to experience agriculture to see that it's not just crop farming. It's high tech and it takes creativity, especially in developing new ag-based products."

"This is going to be a fabulous addition to our presentation," Ritt says. "Not just in how we present agriculture, but to the whole fair experience."