Voice of the Farmer Garden Adds New Fair Attractions

By Blake Jackson

The New York Voice of the Farmer Garden at the Great New York State Fair is expanding its educational exhibits in 2026 with several new features that showcase important sectors of New York agriculture.

The project is a collaboration among the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Great New York State Fair, and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County.

The garden, first introduced at the State Fair in 2023, was the first statewide agricultural garden of its kind at a U.S. state fair. Located near the Expo Center, it serves as an interactive space where visitors can learn about crops, farming practices, and food production across New York.

“As the oldest state fair in the nation, The Great New York State Fair has always remained deeply committed to showcasing its agricultural roots. I’m proud to say that today, it continues to serve as an exciting space for fairgoers to learn about our incredible agricultural community, and the Voice of the Farmer Garden, grown and maintained by our partners at CCE Onondaga, is an excellent example of this," New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said.

"Every year, we’ve seen the garden grow to showcase a broader picture of New York’s rich agricultural heritage, and I encourage fairgoers to stop by and explore the wide variety of crops and food products that we produce right here in our own backyard.”

This year’s additions include new cut flower beds featuring crops commonly grown by New York flower producers, such as dahlias, zinnias, hibiscus, marigolds, and celosia.

The garden has also added a small high-density apple orchard with eight New York apple varieties, highlighting an industry that plays a major role in the state’s agricultural economy.

Another new feature is a demonstration using wool pellets, a natural fertilizer made from raw wool not suitable for textile production. The garden now features more than 45 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and pollinator-friendly plants, along with educational displays about New York agriculture.

Visitors can explore the exhibit through self-guided tours, QR code videos, and conversations with Cornell Cooperative Extension staff and Master Gardener volunteers.

Interactive activities for children, including a scavenger hunt and hands-on gardening stations, will also return during the Fair, which runs from August 26 through September 7.

Photo Credit: pexels-szafran