Press Release: 8/22/2025
The Big E's Farm-a-Rama Welcomes Harvesting Change, Urban Farming in New England
By Karen Tetreault
8/21/2025
West Springfield, Mass. – In honor of Urban Agriculture Week in the Commonwealth, August 10-16, Eastern States Exposition is delighted to provide fairgoers a glimpse at what they can expect in The Big E’s Farm-A-Rama, September 12-28, including an all-new urban farming exhibit.
“Harvesting Change: Urban Farming in New England features an outdoor urban garden at the entrance of Farm-A-Rama,” said Director of Agriculture Elena Hovagimian. “The garden showcases growing vegetables. Inside the building, visitors can explore an educational display on real urban farms in New England and read about their stories. Daily guest groups from these farms will provide interactive talks and demonstrations.”
The vibrant vegetable garden capitalizes on the vertical space at Farm-A-Rama’s entrance with trellises, troughs, raised beds and container gardens. Kiosks inside the building offer details about the plants, local groups and resources to get in touch with similar initiatives in the broader community.
“I wanted to shine a light on urban gardening, especially for those living in cities—whether on a rooftop, a patio or in a community plot, everyone can grow their own food,” said Mike Pietruska, the designer behind Harvesting Change as well as The Big E’s popular “Power of Poop” exhibit. “My inspiration came from visiting Erie County Fair’s Urban Garden Walk in Hamburg, N.Y., where I saw how they’ve championed urban farming and agricultural education year after year. It reinforced for me that urban farming is viable and expanding in urban neighborhoods.”
“New England’s history is rooted in farming—urban farming is just the next chapter,” said Ben Grosscup, an organizer with the Northeast Organic Farming Association that has helped to bring Harvesting Change to life.
Urban farming plays a vital role in supporting sustainable, resilient and healthy cities, and the benefits are aplenty. Producing produce locally combats food insecurity, creates shared spaces, fosters connections, reduces reliance on distant supply chains and provides nutritious food to urban communities with limited grocery access. Urban farming also minimizes a city’s environmental footprint by reducing transportation emissions, repurposing or neglected properties and incorporating eco-friendly practices like composting and rainwater collection. Economically, it supports entrepreneurs, farmers markets and restaurants. Innovative techniques like vertical farming and hydroponics help maximize surface area, too.
As said best by Margaret Connors, “Urban farming turns underutilized spaces into classrooms, pantries and sanctuaries.” Connors works at Groundwork Somerville (GWS), a nonprofit organization that brings urban farming to the Boston area.
This is not the first time Farm-A-Rama has featured a sustainability exhibit. Year after year, The Power of Poop, beekeeping demonstrations, the Farm-to-Table Experience and more offer fairgoers an understanding of new technologies and the importance of protecting natural resources, promoting waste reduction and supporting environmental health. Annually, a food insecurity exhibit in Farm-A-Rama, made possible by USA Waste, gives fairgoers a chance to donate to the Western Mass. Food Bank.
This year, Auerfarm, a 120-acre nonprofit education farm located in Bloomfield, Conn., will offer interactive, hands-on experiences that introduce fairgoers to agriculture, science and the environment. Students, families and other visitors depart with a newfound or renewed appreciation for the natural world.
Beyond Harvesting Change: Urban Farming in New England and the Auerfarm collaboration, Farm-A-Rama provides a broad look at numerous agricultural practices from New England:
- Chick Hatchery
- Farm-to-Table Experience
- Agricultural Entertainment
- Sow and Litter: Mother Pig and Babies
- Giant Pumpkins and Squash Competition
- The Hampden County Beekeepers
- 4-H Apple Booth
- Giant Pumpkin Carving
- Native Produce Displays
- Landscape and Floral Designs Contest
Eager to learn more? The Big E, presented by Eastern States Exposition, runs from September 12-28 in West Springfield, Mass. Tickets are available online now at TheBigE.com or in-person at The Big E Box Office and select Rocky’s Ace Hardware locations, the official ticket partner of Fair.
About The Big E
The Big E is America’s only multi-state fair celebrating the rich history, culture and traditions of the six New England states. As the principal event of Eastern States Exposition, The Big E has presented the finest in agriculture; innovative commercial, industrial and artistic developments; and the highest caliber of varied entertainment to the people of the United States for more than a century. The 17-day event has grown to become the largest event on the East Coast, recognized by its recent record annual attendance of nearly 1.7 million fairgoers and counting. Head to TheBigE.com to see what all the buzz is about or follow us on social media.
About Eastern States Exposition
It’s always showtime at Eastern States Exposition (ESE), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation located in West Springfield, Mass. ESE is committed to excellence in providing opportunities for the development and promotion of agriculture, industry, education and family entertainment while preserving our New England heritage. The 175-acre campus holds five exhibition buildings, equivalent to 355,000 square feet of ground level indoor space. Their year-round, on-site dining and entertainment locations include Storrowton Village Museum, Eastern States Farmers Market & Wine Café, Storrowton Tavern & Carriage House. The facility also hosts more than 120 shows and events annually, such as The Big E, America’s only multi-state fair, and Hooplandia, the Northeast’s Ultimate 3x3 Basketball Tourney + Festival. For more information, check out EasternStatesExposition.com, or find us on social media.
Additional Info
Media Contact : Bridget Kelleher
Related Links : www.thebige.com