By Maria Wingert/Murphy News Service

Saturday’s Golden Gopher football tailgaters will have some different activity options before the Kent State game as the University of Minnesota’s College of Food and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) plays host to the third-annual Food & Ag Day celebration.

“It started as a way to acknowledge the partners that support the university,” Mary Buschette, director of CFANS’ alumni and constituent relations, said.  She helps coordinate the event along with staff and student chairs, Kenny Dux and Brandon Hanson.  

“Whether you went to the University of Minnesota or not, everyone is connected to the food, agriculture and natural resources industry, so it is really exciting to see this celebration at a Gopher football game, highlighting this important industry in our state.”

Dux studies animal science through CFANS and is serving as co-chair to the Food & Ag Day committee. He is helping plan vendors, prepare food and ensure everything is ready  on Saturday morning.

It may take some time and effort, but for Dux it is all worth it. “I get to be involved and promote ag, which has been a passion of mine and has been a part of my background for as long as I can remember.”

For CFANS students such as Dux, Saturday’s activities are more than just a good time before the game. For them, it’s a way to show off all they do, back in their home communities and here on campus.

“I want to tell Gopher fans about where their food comes from and about what farmers like me do everyday,”  CFANS student Greta Thormodson student.

Buschette, Dux and Thormodson will be on hand Saturday to serve food, answer questions and share their agriculture story before the game.

Activities on Saturday will begin at 9 a.m. and food will be served until it is gone or until 11 a.m. when the game starts. All activities will be held in front of Mariucci Arena across from TCF Bank Stadium.

CFANS student groups will have booths to visit throughout the morning, and national agriculture student organizations such as 4-H and Future Farmers of America will have members on site to teach about their roles within the university and industry.

Alumni will be able to get individual tickets for the game at $15 and students will get in for $10.

“Some people even come to the football game just to support Food & Ag Day. Many come for the game as well, but it’s nice to see all of the support,” Buschette said.

Some of the food available comes from the University of Minnesota Meat Lab and the rest comes from supporting agriculture agencies.

Many of those agencies will have nearby booths where Gopher fans can stop by before the game. At the 2014 event Minnesota Turkey Growers Association and Minnesota Pork were on hand to serve samples and speak with Gopher fans. Ted Tassle, the mascot for the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, made an appearance as well.

If you don’t make it to the game, you can hear about Food & Ag Day contributions and activities during the radio broadcast of the game. “It will be very apparent that it’s Food & Ag Day, even if you’re not at the game,” Buschette said.

Reporter Maria Wingert is studying journalism at the University of Minnesota.