Ten years at the State Fair: Glass Barn celebrates 10th anniversary

INDIANAPOLIS — Ten years ago, the Glass Barn at the Indiana State Fair was unveiled — the product of a vision of Indiana Soybean Alliance members.

Their goal was to educate people about how soybeans are grown and why it’s an important crop.

“The Glass Barn is celebrating 10 years at the Indiana State Fair, and in those 10 years we’ve been able to tell our story to millions of people,” said ISA Chair Mike Koehne, a farmer from Greensburg.

Fairgoers can learn about modern soybean farms at the Glass Barn through Aug. 20. The fair is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Highlights of the barn include:

1. Soy market — Go on a soy market spree, finding all the items made from soybeans on your shopping list before the time runs out.

2. Freebies — Win a free Glass Barn hat by playing BeanGo.

3. Combine simulator — Climb aboard a life-sized combine harvester and virtually harvest soybeans.

4. Talk with farmers — Meet Indiana’s featured farmers. Farmer chats take place daily at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Every session has a chance to win $25 grocery gift cards and Dairy Barn milkshake coupons.

5. Say cheese — Take a photo in the Glass Barn photo booth.

6. Explore — Check out the displays and learn how Indiana farmers feed the world.

About the Glass Barn

Unveiled by Indiana’s soybean farmers at the 2013 Indiana State Fair, the Glass Barn is the premier destination for educating Hoosiers about soybean farming.

Using engaging displays, games and programs, it allows visitors to learn about the farming life, farmers’ connections with the land and the technology they use to work it. Open to the public each year during the Indiana State Fair — and to school groups the rest of the year — the Glass Barn allows visitors to video chat with Indiana farmers. Visitors can also make use of touchscreen displays and games. The Glass Barn is also a resource destination for teachers, providing educational programs throughout the year for preschool age children to high school seniors.

Learn more at glassbarn.org.