The hum of carnival rides, games, and live music returned to the Del Mar Fairgrounds on June 11, a sure sign that summer has arrived in San Diego. The annual San Diego County Fair is back until July 6, where throngs of excited locals and visitors alike flock to the vibrant festivities. Among the many attractions this year, one not to be overlooked is the fun and educational FARM 2 U exhibit. 

Inspired by San Diego’s flourishing agriculture community, FARM 2 U shines a spotlight on farming, horticulture, and local food programs to help attendees recognize and appreciate where the meals on their plates actually come from. 

“The FARM 2 U exhibit is the story of food, fiber, and flowers, and how it goes from the farm to your table,” according to Katie Mueller, the chief operating officer at Del Mar Fairgrounds. “We absolutely understand that in an urban community, the fair is often the only place where much of the public is exposed to agriculture all year long, so we take that responsibility very seriously, and we’re always looking for ways to grow and improve our programs.”

With the help of San Diego’s agriculture community, including a new agriculture advisory council that meets quarterly, the exhibit brings an interactive and multi-sensory approach to educating fairgoers. Hands-on learning stations make it easy for families and friends to engage with the materials, from on-stage tutorials to learning how composting works.

Located in O’Brien Hall, the exhibit features live Q&As, chef demonstrations, a miniature grocery store for kids, a cow milking simulation, and pop-ups by organizations like the San Diego Food Bank, Master Food Preserver Program, and Farm Fresh To You. Craft beer and wine tastings from local vendors are also available for purchase, giving adults a way to enjoy the bounty of San Diego’s beloved beverage businesses.

Guests can also wander to the flower show, where they’ll find scores of colorful floral arrangements on display, labeled with details on each variety. “Horticulture is the number one industry in San Diego County, so we’d be remiss to talk about agriculture without talking about flowers,” notes Mueller. Between the pops of pink petals, an artistic ceiling installation hung above the bouquets, and the scent of fresh blossoms, the flower show delivers a sensory experience that is both educational and enchanting.

Those with a green thumb can also stroll outside to find the garden exhibit, showcasing “garden displays created by professionals, amateurs, garden clubs, and students,” according to the official fair website. The garden show is meant to inspire people to incorporate creative and intentional landscape displays in their own backyards. Visitors can take home tips on water conservation, organic practices, sustainability, and inspiration for small spaces.

Overall, the FARM 2 U exhibit offers an engaging and wholesome oasis amid the energetic and often overstimulating fair atmosphere.

Mueller acknowledges that FARM 2 U is something the team is eager to keep building on, with interactivity at the forefront. While it will continue to grow and evolve over time, she is hopeful that “this exhibit will be here for years to come.”