This year, Pipestone is celebrating a major milestone with the 10th anniversary of the Discovery Barn at the Sioux Empire Fair in Sioux Falls, SD. While our agriculture education exhibits began with a single local fair, the Sioux Falls Discovery Barn has grown to be the cornerstone of our agricultural education efforts. Beyond this exhibit, Pipestone has expanded its reach with additional outreach exhibits at fairs and classrooms across South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa, furthering our commitment to connect with communities.
The Start of the Discovery Barn
The idea for the Discovery Barn concept was born out of a simple yet profound goal—to build public trust in farmers. Sylvia Wolters, Public Relations Coordinator and one of the program’s key visionaries, explains, “Pipestone was asked to contribute to a different public ag experience destination near a very large city. Instead of writing a check, we chose a route where we designed the message and built relationships. We chose to stay local, locate a property, and build our own ag experience to showcase ALL of modern agriculture, featuring farmers of the Midwest.”
By 2014, the Discovery Barn at the Sioux Empire Fair was launched, quickly becoming a highlight for families and school groups alike. Over the years, the exhibit grew, incorporating live farrowing sows, weaned piglets, interactive displays, and educational material that captivated both children and adults. The success at the Sioux Empire Fair paved the way for additional agriculture education exhibits.
Adapting and Engaging
One of the keys to longevity is our constant focus on staying relevant and educational. As farming practices have evolved over the past decade, so does our exhibits. “This year, we revamped the wall signage at the Sioux Falls Discovery Barn,” says Taylor Spronk, Public Relations Manager and Research Veterinarian for Pipestone. “The old wall signs were 10 years old and needed a refresh. For example, the average number of piglets born per litter is no longer 10-14; it’s much higher than that, and that’s growth we want to highlight. We updated those displays and are expanding those updates to all our ag education exhibits.”
Each year, visitors are invited to watch live births up close. Chicks, piglets and calves are all born during the fair. These up-close encounters help visitors of all ages understand the care and dedication that goes into farming. “What I find really fun about the exhibits is how much kids are drawn to the animals. The animals are truly the stars of the show. While it’s important to keep the space educational, we focus on the animals and the farmers who are there with them, talking to the visitors,” Taylor adds.
Building Partnerships
One of the key elements of the Discovery Barn has been its collaboration with local farmers, college students, and organizations like FFA. These partnerships ensure that the exhibits not only educate but also foster meaningful interactions between the public and those who work on the farm every day.
“As Pipestone continues to evolve and do more agriculture education efforts, we continue to build upon the relationships that Sylvia has built with our partners. They are the experts in their subject matter.”
A Decade of Impact
Over the past ten years, the Discovery Barn has not only educated, but they’ve also built lasting relationships with fairgoers and the community. From young children to seasoned farmers, the exhibit has fostered curiosity, discussions, and a greater understanding of agriculture.
“The public response has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Sylvia. “We’ve seen attendance grow each year, and during challenging times, like the COVID-19 pandemic, the value of what we were doing became even more evident. People were more interested than ever in learning where their food comes from and how it’s produced.”
Taylor echoes, noting, “We often hear fairgoers tell us that we are the highlight exhibit at the fair. Kids and families have a lot of fun and learn a lot. It’s hands-on and educational.” This feedback underscores the Discovery Barn’s role in not just informing but also engaging visitors in meaningful ways.
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter
As we look to the future, the focus for the Discovery Barns is clear—continue building relationships, improving the educational experience, and exploring new ways to engage the public. “In the first 10 years of the ag education exhibits, our focus was on growth and reaching as many people as possible,” Taylor says. “In the next 10 years, our goals will really be to understand what the most efficient ways are to reach people.” This may include optimizing how we connect with diverse audiences. Taylor adds, “I think 10 years at the Discovery Barn really shows Pipestone’s long-term commitment to how important these initiatives are.”
A Call to Farmers
The success of the Discovery Barns wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of local farmers. These exhibits are more than just educational displays—they’re opportunities to share the real stories of farming, directly from those who live it every day. As Taylor Spronk notes, “We really encourage our local farmers to be involved in the Discovery Barn efforts.” Sylvia Wolters emphasizes the importance of farmer participation: “The trust of the farmer and the voice of the farmer carries the greatest amount of impact. Bringing farmers alongside us is influential.”
As we continue to build these connections, we need passionate farmers to help educate and inspire the public. If you’re interested in contributing to future Discovery Barn events—whether by sharing your expertise, providing livestock, or engaging with fairgoers—we encourage you to reach out. Together, we will continue making a lasting impact, one conversation at a time.
