By Jennifer Dorsett
Field Editor
Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) has long been known for encouraging agricultural literacy and fostering understanding between consumers and farmers and ranchers.
And recently, TFB introduced a new way to interact with the public—a modern exhibit called Doorways to Agriculture.
The organization’s premier exhibit, Planet Agriculture, was a longtime fixture at fairs, stock shows and other events, giving individuals from all walks of life the opportunity to learn more about Texas agriculture.
But while Planet Agriculture was well-received, it was showing its age.
“Planet Agriculture had been our exhibit for many years, and it was in need of a major update,” TFB Director of Urban Relations Dakota Fleming said. “Doorways to Agriculture is a new way to bring people in and expose them to the diversity of Texas agriculture. It’s very interactive, and it’s just a good way to show how so many things—fireworks, tacos, office supplies, housing materials—relate back to agriculture.”
The design process took more than a year to complete, with much discussion between designers and TFB staff. It was important to everyone involved to get the details and aesthetics just right, according to Fleming.
The exhibit, which debuted at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, features state-of-the-art touchscreen kiosks, oversized interactive “books” for children and a theater screening videos produced by TFB. A walk-through trailer full of displays and games that encourage all ages to learn more about where food, fiber and more comes from is also part of the exhibit.
“In the walk-through trailer, you can walk inside and see how agriculture relates back to your everyday life,” Fleming said. “We have a large touchscreen where visitors choose a door that opens into a room in the average American house. So, you may walk into the kitchen, bedroom or another area of your house, and there’s a game to find ag-related products. And it’s not always what people think. There are so many more household items that come from agriculture than we often realize.”
In addition to the major attractions, there is a live animal display where visitors can touch and see livestock. Many urban residents have never interacted with a farm animal before and have little understanding of animal husbandry.
Fleming said the opportunity to pet a pig or goat is a great opening to starting a conversation about animal care and to help dispel any myths.
The theme is meant to help people understand agriculture’s role in our everyday lives, as well as to encourage youth to consider career pathways in agriculture or agriculture-related industries.
“No matter which door you walk through in your house, there will be an item that’s a product or byproduct of agriculture,” Fleming said. “If you come into the exhibit, you’ll see all the doors that you can go through, and you’ll understand why it’s called Doorways to Agriculture.”
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Visitors who expected to see the same Planet Agriculture were happily surprised with the new look, interactive displays and updated information.
“Doorways to Agriculture has been a long time in the making,” Fleming said. “We had a committee that looked at best practices to engage the public. Then, we worked extensively with our design company. It took a lot of effort to determine what would work best, but we did it. Doorways to Agriculture is fun and modern. It’s interactive, and it incorporates technology. Kids enjoy it. Adults are even learning things when they’re playing with their kids. It’s just a great all-around experience.”
The exhibit will travel to upcoming stock shows across Texas and will make a stop this summer at the 2020 Texas Restaurant Association Marketplace. Other public events are currently being added to the schedule.
Click here for a tour of the exhibit.
Click here for more information about Doorways to Agriculture.