State Fair's beloved 'Ag Hort' building, home of crop art, turns 75
The Agriculture Horticulture building in 1947, the first year it was open, at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair Archives
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For 75 years, one of the most popular spots at the Minnesota State Fair has been the Agriculture Horticulture building — the home of seed art, and displays of corn, apples and honey, among other crops.
Digital producer Sam Stroozas has been covering the fair and the Ag building’s anniversary — she joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about it.
Click the audio player above to listen to the full episode.
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Audio transcript
CATHY WURZER: So if you walk around the state fair, take a look and notice some pretty impressive architecture, the 4-H Building, the Fine Arts Building, the Coliseum. For 75 years, the Ag/Hort Building not too far from the NPR booth has been the home for seed art and displays of corn, apples, and honey among other crops. Digital Producer Sam Stroozas has been covering the fair and the Ag Building's anniversary, and she's here to talk about it. Hey, Sam. How are you?
SAM STROOZAS: I'm good, Cathy. How are you doing?
CATHY WURZER: Good. So far so good. OK, describe the building for folks who might not be familiar with it.
SAM STROOZAS: Yeah, so the Agriculture Horticulture Building, better known as Ag/Hort, it opened up in 1947. And it actually replaced the main building which burned down in 1944 and previously housed all of the exhibits. So in '45 and '46 when the fair was closed due to the polio epidemic and World War II, construction on the new building took place and then opened up in '47. So this year it's celebrating the 75th anniversary. And each hall is a rectangular hall. They have eight rectangular halls with different exhibits like flowers, Christmas trees, bees, honey, and then crop art.
CATHY WURZER: And it's-- I love the way how it's the spokes, like a wheel and spokes, how it looks. I guess if you look at it, it's probably the closest thing that most Minnesotans are going to get to when it comes to what farmers do.
SAM STROOZAS: Exactly. So for a lot of Minnesotans, I think it's hard to remember what exactly the fair was rooted on. And this is a lot about it is when we think of agriculture and we think of farmers. It really represents how the fair came to be. And it was to support farmers and show off the latest crops, animals, and farming technology. And this helps ground us and remind us.
CATHY WURZER: You talked to the superintendent of crops at the building. Sounds like he has a pretty long history at the fair.
SAM STROOZAS: Yes, so Ron Kelsey, he was seven when the building opened. He had just had polio, and he actually taught himself to walk again just in time for the fair that year. And he comes from a long line of family farmers who showed crops every year. And it really just became a big part of his life. And now he is the heart of the building.
When he turned 75, he even got a corncob tattoo. And now he's 82 and he spends every August and early September on the fairgrounds setting up the building and answering questions for guests. I just saw him yesterday working in the building. And he was ready to get to work and be there for everyone who had questions.
CATHY WURZER: I love that, the corncob tattoo. OK, how is the building and all the displays changed over the years?
SAM STROOZAS: So it really just changes with the times in the interests of the state. So in recent years, they've introduced more partnerships with the U of M. They have the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild now, the dirt wing, sustainable farming. But they're still keeping up the timeless things like crop art competitions and fair favorites.
When you think of honey sticks, apple freezies, apple cider, and especially crop art, it's really big this year. I was in the line yesterday. It took me a long time to get through it. It was wrapping around the inside of the building and it's the most popular exhibit.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, absolutely. Hey, about another anniversary this year is the Hamline Dining Hall. And folks are talking about this. I have to say they do a great job getting the word out.
SAM STROOZAS: Yes, so it is the 125th anniversary. And I'm going to be working on an article about the Hamline Dining Hall opened in 1897. I am actually looking to speak with Minnesotans who have stopped every year. It opens up at 7:00 AM, the same time as the gates. So if anyone wants to talk to me about why it's so special to them, they want to chat, they can find me on Twitter @SamStroozas.
CATHY WURZER: Now, you are out there, I got to ask you this question. Do you a favorite food?
SAM STROOZAS: Oh, my favorite food, I got to start my morning with poutine. That's a regular for me. It warms me up. It's comforting. Yesterday I had a vanilla malt from the dairy barn, and that was very good too.
CATHY WURZER: Yeah, I have to say I had the same thing after we got off the air on Friday. It was pretty darn fine. OK, just for one more time, on Twitter Sam Stroozas, you're looking for fans of the Hamline Dining Hall.
SAM STROOZAS: Yes, fans of the Hamline Dining Hall, those who make it a regular stop. It's been open for 125 years, so it's a big part of the fair.
CATHY WURZER: All right, Sam, thanks for stopping by.
SAM STROOZAS: Thanks so much.
CATHY WURZER: Sam Stroozas is a digital producer for MPR News. By the way, Sam's on Twitter @SamStroozas, S-T-R-O-O-Z-A-S. Check it out.
SAM STROOZAS: I'm good, Cathy. How are you doing?
CATHY WURZER: Good. So far so good. OK, describe the building for folks who might not be familiar with it.
SAM STROOZAS: Yeah, so the Agriculture Horticulture Building, better known as Ag/Hort, it opened up in 1947. And it actually replaced the main building which burned down in 1944 and previously housed all of the exhibits. So in '45 and '46 when the fair was closed due to the polio epidemic and World War II, construction on the new building took place and then opened up in '47. So this year it's celebrating the 75th anniversary. And each hall is a rectangular hall. They have eight rectangular halls with different exhibits like flowers, Christmas trees, bees, honey, and then crop art.
CATHY WURZER: And it's-- I love the way how it's the spokes, like a wheel and spokes, how it looks. I guess if you look at it, it's probably the closest thing that most Minnesotans are going to get to when it comes to what farmers do.
SAM STROOZAS: Exactly. So for a lot of Minnesotans, I think it's hard to remember what exactly the fair was rooted on. And this is a lot about it is when we think of agriculture and we think of farmers. It really represents how the fair came to be. And it was to support farmers and show off the latest crops, animals, and farming technology. And this helps ground us and remind us.
CATHY WURZER: You talked to the superintendent of crops at the building. Sounds like he has a pretty long history at the fair.
SAM STROOZAS: Yes, so Ron Kelsey, he was seven when the building opened. He had just had polio, and he actually taught himself to walk again just in time for the fair that year. And he comes from a long line of family farmers who showed crops every year. And it really just became a big part of his life. And now he is the heart of the building.
When he turned 75, he even got a corncob tattoo. And now he's 82 and he spends every August and early September on the fairgrounds setting up the building and answering questions for guests. I just saw him yesterday working in the building. And he was ready to get to work and be there for everyone who had questions.
CATHY WURZER: I love that, the corncob tattoo. OK, how is the building and all the displays changed over the years?
SAM STROOZAS: So it really just changes with the times in the interests of the state. So in recent years, they've introduced more partnerships with the U of M. They have the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild now, the dirt wing, sustainable farming. But they're still keeping up the timeless things like crop art competitions and fair favorites.
When you think of honey sticks, apple freezies, apple cider, and especially crop art, it's really big this year. I was in the line yesterday. It took me a long time to get through it. It was wrapping around the inside of the building and it's the most popular exhibit.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, absolutely. Hey, about another anniversary this year is the Hamline Dining Hall. And folks are talking about this. I have to say they do a great job getting the word out.
SAM STROOZAS: Yes, so it is the 125th anniversary. And I'm going to be working on an article about the Hamline Dining Hall opened in 1897. I am actually looking to speak with Minnesotans who have stopped every year. It opens up at 7:00 AM, the same time as the gates. So if anyone wants to talk to me about why it's so special to them, they want to chat, they can find me on Twitter @SamStroozas.
CATHY WURZER: Now, you are out there, I got to ask you this question. Do you a favorite food?
SAM STROOZAS: Oh, my favorite food, I got to start my morning with poutine. That's a regular for me. It warms me up. It's comforting. Yesterday I had a vanilla malt from the dairy barn, and that was very good too.
CATHY WURZER: Yeah, I have to say I had the same thing after we got off the air on Friday. It was pretty darn fine. OK, just for one more time, on Twitter Sam Stroozas, you're looking for fans of the Hamline Dining Hall.
SAM STROOZAS: Yes, fans of the Hamline Dining Hall, those who make it a regular stop. It's been open for 125 years, so it's a big part of the fair.
CATHY WURZER: All right, Sam, thanks for stopping by.
SAM STROOZAS: Thanks so much.
CATHY WURZER: Sam Stroozas is a digital producer for MPR News. By the way, Sam's on Twitter @SamStroozas, S-T-R-O-O-Z-A-S. Check it out.
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