By Scout Nelson
The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will host Field Fest on September12,2026, at the Farm at the Arb, celebrating Minnesota agriculture, harvest traditions, and community engagement. Presented by KWS Seeds, the annual event marks the Arboretum's official kickoff to the fall harvest season.
The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and offer visitors hands-on opportunities to harvest crops such as sugar beets, potatoes, and Kernza. Guests will also have the chance to create cut-flower bouquets while learning about Minnesota farming from producers and agricultural educators.
A highlight of the event is the sugar beet harvest experience, where participants can dig beets directly from the field and learn about their importance to the state's agricultural economy. Visitors can also compete to find the largest sugar beet and enter a contest for prizes.
Educational exhibits will showcase modern farming equipment and harvesting practices. These demonstrations are designed to help attendees better understand how large-scale agricultural operations function and support food production.
Families can enjoy a variety of interactive attractions throughout the day, including honey-harvesting demonstrations, pollinator-focused activities, seed art displays, and hands-on science and craft stations. Guests can also search for the famous Goldy Gopher statue hidden within the cornfields as part of a seasonal challenge sponsored by Minnesota Corn.
Food and beverage options will be available throughout the festival, including offerings from local food trucks and the Rootstock Pop-Up Kitchen. Adults can also visit the Beer Garden while enjoying the harvest celebration.
As an added attraction, visitors can attend the Grape Breeding & Enology Annual Field Day at the Arboretum's Horticultural Research Center, where they can tour vineyards and orchards and sample more than 50 varieties of table and wine grapes.
The event is organized by the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, which continues to promote agricultural education, research, and community involvement through hands-on learning experiences.
Registration Information
- Event: Field Fest
- Date: Saturday, September 12,2026
- Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location: Farm at the Arb, University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
- Admission: Free for Arboretum members; $20 for non-members
- Registration: Advance registration required
- Presenter: KWS Seeds
For Registration Visit.
Photo Credit: university-of-minnesota.jpg
Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Education