Raising Nebraska claims international award in promoting agriculture

December 17, 2015

Lincoln, Neb. — Raising Nebraska, the agricultural literacy experience open year-round at the Nebraska State Fairgrounds, took top honors in the category of promoting agriculture at the recent International Association of Fairs and Expositions convention in Las Vegas. 

A joint effort of Nebraska Extension within the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the Nebraska State Fair, Raising Nebraska is designed to convey Nebraska agriculture and show how the state is positioned for leadership in feeding the world. 

This marks the second straight year Raising Nebraska has received the award. This year the award was for the outdoor expansion space at the exhibit, an educational landscape shaped like the state of Nebraska that is aimed at helping visitors understand the abundant opportunities agriculture provides to the state. The space is about 180 feet long and 120 feet wide with a variety of crops, plants, trees and grasses positioned in the areas of the state in which they are prevalent. Walkways throughout the space represent the major river systems in Nebraska.

"Our goal is to help visitors understand and appreciate the advancements, impact and global leadership of Nebraska agriculture," said Kathleen Lodl, associate dean of Nebraska Extension.

Raising Nebraska debuted at the 2014 Nebraska State Fair. The 25,000-square-foot space includes an interactive house showing how farmers put food on the table, a theater inside of a grain bin showcasing short films about Nebraska agriculture, a 50-foot walkable map of the state and a virtual combine ride.

The exhibit is staffed by a Nebraska Extension educator, who provides agricultural literacy education to visitors. Families, school groups, trade teams and agribusiness groups often visit the space. 

The International Association of Fairs and Expositions is a voluntary, nonprofit corporation serving state, provincial, regional and county agricultural fairs, shows, exhibitions and expositions. It represents more than 1,100 fairs around the world and more than 900 members from allied fields. 

For more information about Raising Nebraska, visit http://raisingnebraska.net.