Barnyard Adventure

Celebrating 26 Years of Exploring & Learning More about Agriculture

About

1 of 10

W E L C O M E to Barnyard Adventure, the award-winning agriculture education experience, visited by over 141,000 guests attending the annual Walworth County Fair.

Established in 2000, join us September 2-7, 2026 as we celebrate 26 years of Barnyard Adventure!

The Barnyard Adventure team is looking forward to your visit, showcasing an area of the Fair where families and folks of all ages can make themselves at home; rest, regroup, relax, and enjoy the country hospitality offered throughout Barnyard Adventure's two acres of agricultural wonders.

The Barnyard Adventure area remains proud to emphasize the diversity of agriculture with numerous learning and relaxation areas.

Features in Barnyard Adventure include:
‍
The Barnyard Adventure Barn has been honored to welcome Barnyard Barn hosts from the Walworth County Beekeepers Club and Michelle's Monarchs. Visit with incredibly knowledgeable beekeepers and butterfly experts, take part in free activities, and view their displays, including an enclosed working beehive and Monarch hatching presentation.

Flourishing gardens, featuring a bumper crop of vegetables, herbs, and flowers, including beautiful pollinators for our bees and butterflies. Displays included traditional and non-traditional gardening techniques. NEW in 2026 will highlight the "Kindness Garden," six pollinator gardens of beauty, the "Freshly Picked" garden, as well as the return of the sensory garden bench, the pumpkin patch, magnificent mint, hops, beautiful sunflowers and more!

The Barnyard Adventure garden is an official Monarch Way Station.

The Barnyard Adventure Barn is an observation building designed by local high school students.

Recognizing the threat placed on the Monarch Butterfly species, the Walworth County Fair is sensitive and respectful to butterfly care. An outdoor butterfly observation tent will return in 2026 in the Barnyard Adventure Garden and will feature the ever-popular daily butterfly release.

The Learning Coop will be hopping with interest and feature its diverse topics that cover agriculture and home-based interests; including cooking, beekeeping, horticulture, old-world crafts, and so much more! It was a do-not-miss opportunity for all Fair guests!

‍THANK YOU to our donors and supporters! The Barnyard Adventure Agriculture Education area is free with your paid general fair guest admission and operates through the generosity of donations, grants, volunteers, and year-round fundraisers.

The Walworth County Fair Barnyard Adventure Agriculture Education area has won numerous awards from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), the umbrella fair organization of all fairs around the globe, including the "Best Agricultural Event" and “Best of Division,” competing against fairs in the nation and worldwide.

The friendly team of volunteers in Barnyard Adventure are "ag-cited" to welcome you! Be sure to visit while enjoying the Great Walworth County Fair! See you soon!
‍

LEARNING COOP TENT

This is a great educational tent for all ages, recognized as an award winner by the International Association of Fairs & Expositions. A wide variety of topics are led by the area's finest experts in agriculture, farm-to-table cooking, gardening, beekeeping, crafts and much more. All fair guests are welcome to participate and enjoy. Be sure to check out what classes are featured throughout each day of the six-day Walworth County Fair!

BARNYARD ADVENTURE BARN - A SALUTE TO POLLINATORS

The Barnyard Adventure Barn, formerly the Butterfly Barn, welcomes you to a fun educational environment, learning more about nature's star pollinators.

The Barn was designed by local high school students in 2010. Learn what's new in the barn in 2025 as the beekeepers return to provide their expert advice, along with other knowledgeable leaders in their field!

Just outside the Barnyard Adventure Barn is the rainwater recycling patio, made with permeable pavers. You will notice on the bricks surrounding the patio the names of the generous donors and supporters that helped bring this special patio dream a reality. The permeable paver bricks allow rainwater to run through them. Beneath the patio is a reservoir to collect rainwater from the ground and gutters of the barn. Reservoir water is pumped to the plants that support the butterflies and to a stream that flows through raised gardens. By keeping it moving, the water will remain fresh and aerated.
Planting our agricultural future, one seed at a time!

THE GARDENS

Glorious gardening! The bountiful Barnyard Adventure Garden is home to flourishing vegetables, herbs, crops, and flowers.
Observe the variety of garden displays, showcasing traditional and non-traditional gardening techniques. Be sure to check out which of these gardening features can easily be implemented at your home base.
Here, we grow!

THE BARNYARD BINZEBO

Be sure to visit the Barnyard Binzebo in the center of Barnyard Adventure ... see what's new to explore in 2026!

THE BARNYARD POND

THE BARNYARD POND, Donated In Memory of Nana & Bubba, showcasing aquaculture, the new pond at Barnyard Adventure is a welcome oasis for you and your family to relax and enjoy while viewing a peaceful waterfall and gorgeous aquatic plants.

2026 BARNYARD ADVENTURE STAGE

Fun for the whole family, the Barnyard Adventure - Kiddieland Stage features NICK'S KIDS SHOW, NICK'S BARNYARD ADVENTURE SHOW and CONTESTS galore! See the Official Fair Schedule for all showtimes.

GRATITUDE

ACRES OF THANKS TO OUR 2026 WALWORTH COUNTY FAIR BARNYARD ADVENTURE PARTNERS FROM THE BARNYARD ADVENTURE TEAM:

ALLIANT ENERGY FOUNDATION

BARNYARD ADVENTURE VOLUNTEERS

BIRDS EYE – CONAGRA

ANN BROST

CASEY’S

CITIZENS BANK – MUKWONAGO

CREEK FARM

GARY DATKA

AUDREY EARLE – WACHTEL TREE SCIENCE

ELKHORN AREA HS CHEER TEAMS

ELKHORN AREA HS CULINARY TEAM &

MRS. JENNY WEHMEIER

FRITO-LAY

GALLAGHER TENT & AWNING

GATEWAY TECHNICAL COLLEGE GREEN THUMBS

GEFVERT FAMILY

GENEVA LAKE WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

GENEVA LAKES PRODUCE, LLC

GOOD OAK FARMSTEAD

FRANK & TERRI GUSKE

BYA GARDEN CARETAKER PAM HAMMERSTAD

HILL VALLEY DAIRY

HOPPE CONSTRUCTION

KARA KADING

KRISTINE KARLSON

KATHYE & CO.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS – ELKHORN

KRUGER LANDSCAPING

KUNES AUTO GROUP

KWIK TRIP – ELKHORN

LINN 4-H CLUB

MICHELLE’S MONARCH BUTTERFLIES –

MICHELLE & BRIAN LETARTE

DAVE MROCH

MIKE MUZATKO

IN MEMORY OF KRISTINA NACKE

NICK’S KIDS SHOW &

NICK’S BARNYARD ADVENTURE SHOW

NORTH AMERICAN MIDWAY ENTERTAINMENT

NORTH PARISH GARDENS – BROOKLYN, WI

TERRY PAPCKE

IN MEMORY OF BILL & JOY PAPENFUS

PESCHE’S GREENHOUSE

PRAIRIE FARMS

PREMIER BANK

ROBERTSON RYAN & ASSOCIATES

CATHERINE RUPP – CANINE COMPANION SERVICE DOGS

SIMONS FEED & SEED - SCOTT SIMONS

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS APOTHECARY

STEPHANIE SLATER

STAMPIN’ UP! – LAURA ZARAZA

STINEBRINK’S PIGGLY WIGGLY – LAKE GENEVA

TANIS CONSTRUCTION

THE ELKHORN FUND

THE QUILTING CONNECTION

THE VINERY

TROOP 243

UNCLE ED’S BBQ

UNCO INDUSTRIES

VFW 2823

W.J. ELECTRIC

WALWORTH COUNTY BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION

WALWORTH COUNTY DAIRY PROMOTION COMMITTEE

WALWORTH COUNTY FAIR FAIREST OLIVIA

& ROYALTY PIPER

WCF OPEN CLASS HORTICULTURE EXHIBITORS

WALWORTH COUNTY FAIR VENDORS

WALWORTH COUNTY FARM BUREAU

WAR DOGS MAKING IT HOME

WE ENERGIES FOUNDATION

WILLIAMS BAY HIGH SCHOOL CULINARY STUDENTS &

ADVISOR CHRISTY TORRES

WISCONSIN HONEY QUEEN

YODER & CO.

WALWORTH COUNTY FAIR BOARD

CLARE DOANE & FAIR MAINTENANCE DEPT.

LARRY GAFFEY, MELODY JUDGE & THE WALWORTH COUNTY FAIR OFFICE

SUPERINTENDENT KATHLEEEN PAPCKE and the

BARNYARD ADVENTURE AGRICULTURE EDUCATION TEAM

… AND TO ALL WHO HAVE GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED

BARNYARD ADVENTURE’S AGRICULTURAL MISSION.

KINDNESS MATTERS!

YOU, YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR ORGANIZATION ARE WELCOME TO PARTNER WITH US AS WE GROW & NURTURE THE CONNECTION OF COMMUNITY + AGRICULTURE ...

For more details, contact eileen@walworthcountyfairgrounds.com
‍
ARTICLES OF INTEREST:

SHARING KINDNESS IDEAS:
Outdoor Acts of Kindness

C‍OLOR WHEEL GARDENING:
Color Gardening by Proven Winners
BHG Color Wheel Gardening

RAISED BED GARDENING:
Galvanized Stock Tank Gardening

MOSQUITO REPELLANT PLANTS:
Plants that Repel Mosquitoes
‍
KIDS CAN COMPOST:
Worm Fun Facts - Meme's Worms
Subpod In-Garden Composting System
Scrap Gardening

Visit these links for fun facts, recipes and more!
Wisconsin Agriculture Statistics - DATCP
American Garden History
Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association - Educational and Recipes
My American Farm - Online Games and More for Kids
Wisconsin Dairy - Who Moo, Recipes & More!
Wisconsin Beef
Wisconsin Poultry & Egg
Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association
USDA's Complete Guide Home Canning
Birds Eye - Recipes & More
Wisconsin Honey Producers
National Gardening Association
Wisconsin Apple Growers Association
Wisconsin Corn
Animal Corner - Learn More About All Animals
Wisconsin Native Plants
Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom

RECIPES FROM THE GARDEN:
Recipes from the Barnyard Adventure Garden Boxes

Freshly Picked Vegetable Recipes

BYA Questions or Comments: Email: eileen@walworthcountyfair.com

WCF Barnyard Adventure Awards & Recognition

We are tremendously proud and grateful for the contributions of time, financial support, labor, materials and positive efforts from ALL of our volunteers and donors. Because of YOU, the Walworth County Fair Barnyard Adventure Agriculture Education area has achieved:

‍2009:
International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):
‍
Overall ag program – “From Seed to Supper”
Specific ag educational exhibit – “Butterfly Exhibit”
Non-fair ag program – “Come Grow with Us”

‍2010:
International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):
‍
Green Program – Composting Display – 2nd Place
Non-Fair Ag Program – Biopots – 2nd Place
Fair & Fair Sponsor Joint Exhibit – Roly the Composting Pig, partnering with Compost Management, Delavan – 3rd Place
Photo Series – The Building of the Butterfly Barn – 1st Place

‍2011:
‍Wisconsin Association of Fairs:
‍
VIP Award – Superintendent George Mroch
Janesville Gazette – People Who Matter – George Mroch

International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):
‍
Cream Puff Eating Contest – 2nd Place
Photo Series - Green Patio, Rainwater Recycling System Installation – 2nd Place
Barnyard Garden Improvements – 2nd Place
Green Patio/Rainwater Recycling Project – 1st Place
Fair & Fair Sponsor Joint Exhibit – Sorg’s with Sorgy and Wilson Farm Meats with Sir Oinks
A Lot Meat Cut Identification Displays – 3rd Place
Best Overall of Division 2 Silver Bowl Trophy

‍2012:
International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):
‍
Ag in the Classroom – with Walworth Co. Farm Bureau
Soybean Educational Program
From Seed to Supper Educational SignageCombine Simulator/GPS Educational Trailer – with WI Corn Promotion Board
Scarecrow Building Contest

‍2013:
International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):
‍
Thank A Farmer Sign-In Boards Program – 2nd Place
“From Seed to Supper Tour” Educational Materials to Fair Guests –Partnership with American Family Insurance – 3rd Place
Photo Sequence of Meat Identification Displays – 1st Place
Veggie Races – Create It on the Spot Contest – 1st Place

‍2014:
International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):
‍
Barnyard Adventure – Ag Education Program Workshop Presenter
Goat Educational Display – Partnership with Loudenbeck Farms Dairy Goats, LLC
Barnyard Bargain Bonanza Indoor Flea Market
Alternative Gardening Methods
Sweet Corn Eating Contest
Grade School Container Gardening Photo

‍2015:
International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):
‍
Hydroponics & Aeroponics Gardening
From Seed to Supper Tour Granary Learning Station – with WI Soybean Marketing Board
Kids Tractor Pulls

‍2016:
International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):
‍
Barnyard Adventure Garden / Open Class Horticulture Scarecrow
Milk Chugging Contest

‍2017
‍International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):

Learning Coop Beekeeping Demonstration - 2nd Place
Learning Coop Paper Flowers - Laura Zaraza - Stampin' It Up - 3rd Place
Barnyard Adventure Stage - Bubblegum Blowing Contest - 2nd Place
Learning Coop - Increase Awareness of Competitive Exhibits - 1st Place

‍2018:
International Assocation of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):

Learning Coop – Presentation Monitor – 3rd Place
Barnyard Garden Identification Signage – 3rd Place
Barnyard Garden – King Kong Sunflower Display – 1st Place
Barnyard Adventure Contest – Apple Pie Eating Contest – 3rd Place
Barnyard Adventure – Pesche’s Greenhouse Fairy Garden Display & Demonstration – 3rd Place

‍2019:
Wisconsin Association of Fairs:

VIP Award – Mrs. Peggy Fraser, Office Manager, Barnyard Adventure Team Volunteer
Outstanding Fair Person – Fair Board Director Eileen Walsh Grzenia, Barnyard Adventure Team Volunteer

International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):
‍
Grain Bin Learning Center - Newly established exhibit to promote agriculture to fair guests - 2nd Place
Growing to Learn Raised Grain Beds Exhibit - Exhibit designed to educate fair guests - 3rd Place
Diaper Derby and Toddler Trot - Participatory Contest - 3rd Place
All-Natural Infused Honey Contest - Special Contest - 2nd Place
Mrs. Loretta Meinel and Mrs. Eileen Walsh Grzenia - Graduates of the IAFE Institute of Fair Management.

‍2020:
International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):
‍
Virtual - Any Other Agriculture Program - Buzzing through Barnyard Virtually - 2nd Place
Certified Volunteer Fair Manager Designation - Fair Board Director Eileen Walsh Grzenia, Barnyard Adventure Team
Volunteer

‍2021:
International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):
‍
Traditional Fair - Touch Free Barnyard Adventure Tour - 3rd Place
Traditional Fair - Protecting the Pollinators - Butterflies - 3rd Place
Traditional Fair - Walworth County Beekeepers Club - Pollinator Week Project - Pollinator Garden Beds - 3rd Place
Traditional Fair - Butterfly Feeders created by Open Class Exhibitors, on display during the Fair in the Barnyard Adventure Garden - 1st Place
Fair Board Director Loretta Meinel - IAFE Graduate Leadership Track Certification, Barnyard Adventure Team Volunteer

‍2022:
Wisconsin Association of Fairs:

Outstanding Fair Person – Fair Board Director/Board VP Loretta Meinel, Barnyard Adventure Team Volunteer

International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):

AGRICULTURE AWARDS - Sponsored by Showorks by Ungerboeck

‍Category:

2. Technique/procedure/policy developed by Fair Management to correct an issue or challenge related to an agricultural area - Walworth County Fair Junior & Open Honey Show, located at Barnyard Adventure - 2nd Place
5. Unique exhibit/promotion/special event/community engagement/competition showcased during the year - Barnyard Adventure - Barnyard Adventure - Historic Garden Beds - 2nd Place

‍COMPETITIVE EXHIBITS AWARDS - Sponsored by North American Midway Entertainment

‍Category:

7. Competitive Exhibit Photo Series - Barnyard Adventure and Open Class Flowers - BYA Intern Madison/Sunflower - 1st Place***

*** Best of Division 2 - Silver Bowl Award

2023:
Wisconsin Association of Fairs:

Bob Williams Fair Ag GrantWAF Hall of Fame Inductee - Eileen Walsh Grzenia, Director/Board Secretary & BYA Team Volunteer
‍
International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):

2nd Place - Creative Display - Photo Series – Michelle’s Monarch’s

1st Place - Any Other Competitive Exhibits – Open Class Horticulture and Barnyard Adventure - Table Top Scarecrow Contest

1st Place - Newly established or evolving program/exhibit at your Fair which promotes agriculture or a current agricultural issue to the Fairgoing public – Kids Can Compost Exhibit

2nd Place - Program/event/exhibit designed to educate consumers/fairgoing public on the Story of Food – Barnyard Adventure Global Gardens

2nd Place – Any Other Agriculture Program/Exhibit – Barnyard Brag Tags

2024:
International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE):
3rd Place - Companion Gardening

2025:
3rd Place - Working Beehive by the Walworth County Beekeepers Association
2nd Place - From Bin to Binzebo (the grain bin conversion project) Partners: Walworth County Farm Bureau and the Geneva Lake Women's Association