The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is set to host the East Campus Discovery Days and Farmer’s Market, a fun, family friendly event for all ages, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 12, July 10 and Aug. 14 on East Campus.
The event is more than a farmer’s market. It will offer hands-on, science-focused experiences from various Nebraska departments, as well as a vendor fair, live music and food trucks. Campus visitors will also have the opportunity to tour the Backyard Farmer Garden; arboretum; newly renovated Dairy Store and Dinsdale Family Learning Commons; and Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement interactive digital kiosk.
Through the market, Nebraska seeks to offer the East Campus community, neighbors and friends access to science literacy opportunities, locally produced fresh food, value-added artisans, on-campus family activities and an avenue for producers to sell their products. The market activities are free and open to the public, while food and crafts will be available for purchase.
The Department of Agronomy and Horticulture has several activity stations planned for youth at its booth, including Plant Your Vegetables/Fruit, Pesticide Education and Color our Soil.
At Plant Your Vegetables/Fruit, agronomy and horticulture students will split open fresh peppers and tomatoes for participating youth to observe and learn about seeds, characteristics of a plant and plant succession. Participants will plant seeds in a cup of soil to take home to grow in their own garden. They will also be given growing and harvesting tips for their plant.
At the Pesticide Education station, Jennifer Weisbrod, assistant extension educator, will give out Mr. Yuk stickers and participating youth will get to match pesticide term definitions and identify the pest in a pesticide game.
At Color our Soil, Becky Young, assistant professor of practice, will guide participants through a soils station where it’s all about color and feature a coloring activity with soil crayons and a make-a-mini-profile activity.
The Biological Systems Engineering Department will display university robots and tractors, and offer hands-on activities for youth. Nebraska’s PGA Golf Management program will host PuttSkee, a combination putting green and arcade skeeball game.
Among the vendors attending the market are Kimmel Orchard and Vineyard, which will sell its famous apple donuts; the UNL Bee Lab, selling honey and sharing information about pollinators; the Country Baker, bringing breads, muffins and rolls; Jisa Farmstead Cheese, providing the best tasting cheese using top quality wholesome ingredients; and Community Crops, selling seasonal vegetables.
Other vendors include Sandhill Ben’s Gourmet Seasoning, The Chocolate Tortoise, Bazing Bling, Becca Makes Stuff, Grandpa's Kettle Corn, Porkccentric, Say Cheese Gourmet Burgers, Sweet Things by Marcy and Titania Ceramics.
The East Campus Discovery Days and Farmer’s Market is supported by the university. For more information on the market, including a full list of vendors, click here. For additional information, contact Brophy at jbrophy3@unl.edu or Kirstin Taylor at ktaylor21@unl.edu.
Natalie Jones, IANR Media and the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture contributed to this story
