Lambda Chapter (Minnesota) volunteered at the Minnesota State Fair August 22 through September 2. The chapter volunteered in a variety of areas while also raising funds to keep up maintenance on their chapter house.
Brother Ben Styer, the Noble Ruler of Lambda Chapter, previously had been the VNR-Philanthropy. He said the chapter spent their time at the state fair volunteering for the Gopher Dairy Bar, advocating for the Minnesota Beef Council and sold parking spots from their newly built parking lot to attendees to help raise funds for the chapter house.
“The state fair is a really big part of Minnesota culture,” Brother Styer said.
He explained that the state fair is held not far from the chapter house and is only about a ten-minute walk. This made it easy for visitors who were parked at the chapter house to walk to and from the fair.
Brother Styer said their work with the Gopher Dairy Bar is a requirement for those who are also members of the Dairy Club on campus, but it is something they enjoy getting to support each year. Brothers spent their time selling milk and milkshakes while working the Gopher Dairy Bar.
The Chapter also spent some time at the Minnesota Beef Council booth to help spread awareness of the Council and its work, as well as host games and more. For their hard work, the Minnesota Beef Council donated a small portion of money to the Chapter that will go towards the parking lot maintenance this winter, as well as the money they gained by selling parking spots.
“It was a busy week, but a lot of fun and a good way to start off the year,” Brother Styer said.
He said after the donation from the Minnesota Beef Council and money collected from selling their parking spots, the chapter ran a total of roughly $4,500 that will be used to plow snow and maintain the parking lot over the winter. Lambda Chapter also got the opportunity to buy some prizes for the Junior Barrel Show and show children in agriculture some support.
“The guys that have grown up in Minnesota and gone to the state fair a long time have found a lot of value in the Minnesota State Fair, from their experiences and even for individuals, like myself, who didn’t grow up in Minnesota – we have gotten a lot from the agriculture community and being part of it,” Brother Styer said.
He noted how being a part of booths and events at the state fair has given the Chapter the opportunity to give back and support the next generation of agriculture leadership, all the while promoting AGR.
Brother Styer said next year, the chapter will work at the Minnesota State Fair again in a similar capacity as they did this year. He said the brothers look forward to the event as a fun way to transition into the school year.
