6 things to do at Ag Day
Photos by Katie Young, Michele Walfred and Monica Moriak April 16, 2026
University of Delaware Ag Day is back on April 25
Editor’s note: Rain is in the forecast on Saturday. Ag Day is a rain or shine event, but UD officials will continue to monitor the weather. We encourage you to dress accordingly.
The University of Delaware Ag Day 2026 is just around the corner. The decades-old University of Delaware tradition hosted by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) brings thousands of people to campus to experience the very best of what CANR has to offer. More than 90 attractions, demonstrations, exhibits and activities show off agriculture and natural resources in a fun and educational way. Join CANR’s celebration 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, at 531 S. College Ave. in Newark.
Here are six things to do at Ag Day this year:
1. Watch a sheep get sheared
CANR has a working farm with numerous animals. On Ag Day, the public will get to interact with sheep up close. Watch Larry Armstrong, Webb Farm manager, shear a sheep and talk about all things sheep and wool. Mackenzie Pickett, a senior wildlife ecology and conservation major, said the public will get to learn all about what practices go into caring for sheep.
“It is a really unique experience to be able to interact with the animals and learn more about agriculture in such a hands-on way,” Pickett said. “It is cool to see how sheep shearing works and to learn about the care that goes into raising sheep.”
There will be other animals and insects to interact with on Ag Day as well — calves, dogs, reptiles and even insects. The UD Entomology Club will host an Insect Zoo, featuring a variety of critters. You can even watch cockroaches race against each other.
2. Attend “Hen Talks”
Want to learn about raw milk, eating insects, artificial intelligence and Lyme Disease? The CANR “Hen Talks” is for you. This year, in 132 Townsend Hall, CANR faculty will give short talks about these topics in exciting and educational ways.
“Our college’s motto is to ‘Feed the world. Protect the planet,’” CANR Dean Brian Farkas said. “But that is such an overwhelming thing to comprehend. These talks are a fun and informative way for everyone to see what we are doing in the college to advance science and how everyone can live that motto, even if just a little bit.”
To learn more about the Hen Talks, visit the Ag Day web page.
3. Peruse a plant sale
The 34th annual University of Delaware Botanic Gardens Spring Benefit Plant Sale will take place during Ag Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale is located at the UD Botanic Gardens nursery area across Roger Martin Lane from Fischer Greenhouse. The sale will feature more than 500 varieties of plants. Viburnum and Penstemon are this year’s featured plant genera. Catherine Dotchel, a sophomore plant science major, said she loves shopping for house plants, perennials and even small trees.
“As a college student, you don’t often get the ability to shop for outside plants [on campus],” Dotchel said. “We have a houseplant sale here, but the UDBG plant sale is at least the only time I’ve experienced where I can buy perennial plants for outside. It’s also a bigger variety and a larger sale than any other plant sale we have during the year.”
4. Eat UDairy Creamery ice cream
UDairy Creamery is a staple of the college and the University as a whole. The creamery will have plenty of flavors for people to eat, including returning flavors honey lavender and botanic berry, and a new surprise flavor to be unveiled at Ag Day. Once you’re done eating ice cream, head on over to watch a handful of CANR faculty and students scarf down pints of vanilla ice cream in competition.
“It’s genuinely so much fun to watch as the crowd cheers on their favorite side, and it’s a great opportunity to come together as a community,” said Emma Mahone, a junior pre-veterinary medicine major.
5. Participate in research for cash (or maple syrup)
What do maple syrup and chicken have in common? They are the focus of two Ag Day studies run by UD’s Center for Experimental and Applied Economics. Participants can earn cash (up to $15-$20 for each study) with an opportunity to purchase maple syrup and chicken. The studies will inform the researchers about how consumers make decisions. Participants must be 18 years old for the maple syrup study and 22 years old for the chicken study.
“Ag Day attendees should check out the studies going on at the CEAE because they are a fun way to earn cash while engaging with research,” said Matt Reichner, a second year Masters student in the Agricultural and Resource Economics program. “Attendees support the work of CANR students and faculty and learn more about different products that are on the market.”
The studies will run all day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Townsend Hall 002 and 025.
6. Get to know CANR’s student organizations
CANR has more than 20 registered student organizations covering numerous areas of interest across agriculture and the environment. From Entomology Club to Animal Science Club to the Applied Economics Student Association to Horticulture Club, come see what CANR’s student organizations have to offer and what students are accomplishing through these clubs.
“I always learn more about the college through the different clubs such as Animal Science, Entomology Club, as well as the community organizations,” said Megha Talanayar, a junior pre-veterinary medicine major. “As a member of Guiding Eyes for the Blind at UD, I look forward to what my and other puppy clubs will bring to Ag Day to demonstrate the community and positive environment in the University of Delaware as a whole.”
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