$35 million campaign launched to renovate historic State Fair 4-H Building
Landmark initiative is largest of its kind in history for the Minnesota State Fair and University of Minnesota 4-H
Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota 4-H have partnered to begin a major renovation of the iconic three-story 4-H Building at the State Fairgrounds and an expansion of the statewide 4-H program. This is the largest project of its kind for both the State Fair and University of Minnesota Extension.
To date, 60% of the $35 million fundraising goal has been raised, thanks in part to a $10 million donation to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation from Kathy and Jim Cargill, which jump-started the campaign. Significant gifts have also come from the Ames Family, Compeer Financial, Riverview LLP, and the Rosen Family Foundation.
The 85-year-old, 100,000-square-foot 4-H Building has been a cherished space and launching pad for generations of Minnesota youth from all 87 counties since it opened in 1939. That tradition continues with the nearly 5,000 Minnesota 4-H youth who earn trips to showcase their projects at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds each year. The building’s dormitories provide lodging for up to 700 4-H’ers a night during the State Fair, and a cafeteria serves thousands of healthy meals daily to 4-H’ers during the fair and other events. The first floor is open to fair guests during the 12 days of the State Fair to see project displays, demonstrations and live musical performances.
Exterior work is currently underway, with the majority of building renovations beginning immediately after this year’s fair. The updates will be completed in time for the 2027 State Fair.
As part of the building transformation, fair guests and participating 4-H’ers will see new stages for performing arts, public speaking and demonstrations; updated spaces for STEM activities, entrepreneurship, agricultural education and judging; a teaching kitchen; a media studio; and flexible spaces for workshops and community gatherings that will make programming possible April through October. Beyond the State Fair, the building will house community workshops, camps and career-exploration activities for youth from across the state.
Minnesota 4-H reaches nearly 58,000 youth across the state. 4-H enrollment has increased by a third in the past four years, and the program is aiming to reach 100,000 young Minnesotans, with the newly renovated State Fair building serving as a premier center for youth leadership and development.
“We’re deeply grateful for the early generosity that has helped launch this effort,” said Minnesota State Fair CEO Renee Alexander. “The 4-H Building is an iconic part of our historic fairgrounds, and this investment is about making sure it continues to serve Minnesota’s youth for generations. There’s still work to do, and we’re hopeful Minnesotans will step forward to help us reach our goal to fully realize what this space can be.”
Learn more about the renovation project and fundraising campaign, including how to donate, at 4hbuilding.org. Donors who contribute $1,000 or more to the campaign will be recognized on a first-floor donor wall inside the newly renovated building.
