Farm News, IA
08-31-07
New learning center ‘very well received’
By Kristin Danley-Greiner
Farm News staff writer
DES MOINES — Fuzzy chicks cheeped, pink piglets wiggled, fluffy lambs baa’ed
and gangly goats snuffled in their bedding, eliciting squeals and gasps of
wonderment from guests of all ages at the new, looming brick building on the
north side of the Iowa State Fairgrounds called the Paul R. Knapp Animal
Learning Center.
Several learning stations at the building were set up to teach both young and old
fairgoers about animals involved in agriculture. Videotapes played on big screen
TVs, depicting previously recorded live births, while live animals - many that had
been born slightly before or during this year’s fair - were housed in pens and
stalls in the building. In fact, mid-way through the fair, more than 50 piglets,
almost a dozen calves, a couple of baby goats, nearly 200 chicks and a couple of
lambs had been born at the center.
Dr. Ryan Steen, a veterinarian from Cedar Rapids volunteering at the
Animal Learning Center during the fair, graduated from Iowa State
University’s college of veterinary medicine seven years ago. Having attended
a strong agriculture institution, Steen knows the benefit agriculture brings to Iowa
and how important the Animal Learning Center is in educating others about the
vibrant industry.
“I think it gives people who aren’t necessarily in agriculture the chance to see
something new and to get a glimpse into the life of these animals,Ӕ Steen told
Farm News.
As one of the top drawing attractions at the fair, hordes of people filed in and out
of the building all day long throughout the 11-day event. Lori Chappell,
communications director for the Iowa State Fair, said that, based upon foot traffic
through the building, the new exhibit was ’’very well received.î
“I’ve personally heard a lot of ‘wows’ from fairgoers as they view the animals and
check out the building,”î she said. “The volunteers from the FFA seemed to be
enjoying it so much, too, that they often stay beyond their shifts.Ӕ
The Animal Learning Center, located just south of the Little Hands on the Farm
exhibit at the Iowa State Fair, was made possible by a $750,000 donation to the
Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation by Iowa businessman and philanthropist
William Knapp. Named in honor of Knapp’s brother and lifelong business partner,
showed both urban and rural fairgoers the importance of livestock production in
Iowa.
Kristin Danley Greiner can be reached at ksdg13@msn.com