A staple of Ag Day, the UD Botanic Gardens Spring Benefit Plant Sale features more than 500 plant varieties, including trees, shrubs, perennials, houseplants, herbs and veggies.

Ag Day 2025

Article by Dante LaPenta Photography by Katie Young and Monica Moriak April 14, 2025

University of Delaware Ag Day returns on April 26

Feed the world. Protect the planet. That’s the calling of the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. It’s also the motto of University of Delaware Ag Day 2025.

A signature event for the general public and UD community, Ag Day attracts thousands of visitors. The 2025 edition takes place on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. around the grounds around Townsend Hall, 531 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware.

In this rain-or-shine event, community members enjoy more than 50 attractions, demonstrations, exhibits, and educational activities designed to showcase the wide world of agriculture and natural resources. Ag Day also includes live performances, plant sales, a diverse food court, and a range of experiences for all ages. Known for unique events and demonstrations, Ag Day 2025 boasts cockroach races, sheep shearing and service dog demonstrations, along with the food and music that make the event a Newark favorite.

“Our students, who are going to lead the future of agriculture and natural resources, are the pillars of Ag Day,” explained Brian Farkas, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “University of Delaware Ag Day is a fantastic opportunity to bring together both collegiate and community organizations to celebrate and share our science while also having a lot of fun!”

Ag Day is free to attend, including parking off of South College Avenue in the UD Ice Arena and Field House lots, as well as in the north and south parking lots of the STAR Health Sciences Complex. Overflow parking is also available.

Through the UD Animal Science Club, visitors have a unique opportunity to interact with agricultural animals while learning firsthand about animal care and agriculture.

“I am personally excited for University of Delaware Ag Day because it is where my passion meets purpose,” said Madison Miller, a UD Class of 2025 pre-veterinary medicine major. “It's a chance to share what agriculture means to me and to engage the community in a way that is both educational and fun! Seeing others connect with our work reminds me why I chose this path and why I’ll always be proud to have been part of it.”

The event is driven by UD students. To help plan it, Miller and several classmates take CANR's Ag Day Experience (AGRI267) course. Undergraduates from across the college gain practical experience in event logistics and volunteer coordination, and they work alongside faculty, student organizations, and vendors.

“Ag Day Experience gives students a chance to step beyond the classroom and take the lead on one of the college’s largest events,” said Nicole Rehbach, CANR senior academic advisor. “It’s a hands-on opportunity to spark creativity, build confidence, strengthen communication and leadership skills, and see the direct impact of their work on the community.”

Along with many other Ag Day staples, a favorite exhibit is the live animal display through the Animal Science Club; UD students, faculty, and staff provide visitors a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about animal care and agriculture through interacting with sheep and chicks. UD Cooperative Extension, the outreach arm of UD’s land-grant mission, brings several exhibits, including 4-H Youth Development, Master Gardeners and Health and Well-being programs.

Ag Day is also the culmination of the UD Botanic Gardens Spring Benefit Plant Sale. The 2025 event features Deciduous Azaleas and Salvias, and more than 500 plant varieties.

For adventurous guests, UD Entomology Club will open the Field Ecology Lab, which is brimming with insects and arachnids to learn about and, in some cases, hold right in your hand.

“Ag Day is an opportunity for the community to learn about agriculture, conservation and incredible research that’s happening here at UD and impacts their lives,” said Lori Baiardi, CANR events manager.

While admission into Ag Day is free, the Center for Experimental and Applied Economics will pay attendees in cash for participating in research on the ground floor of Townsend Hall.

UD student-employees of the ever-popular UDairy Creamery are present throughout Ag Day. In addition to the flagship location, the Creamery offers its Moo Mobile, ice cream cart, and food court station.

Ag Day is full of UD registered student organizations, including the Hydroponics Club, Sigma Alpha, Alpha Zeta and Animal Science Club. Many of the student groups use Ag Day to fundraise for their clubs. Any UD students seeking service hours may volunteer for the event via the Ag Day volunteer interest form; volunteer participation is also open to UD employees and community members.

Whether you’re an avid gardener or agricultural newbie, Ag Day has something for everyone. That includes the famous UDairy Creamery ice cream, which will bring back fan favorite flavors, including Botanic Berry, Honey Lavender Buzz (made with UD Honey), and from the Creamery LegenDairy Voting Campaign, Land Grant Green. The Creamery will also release a brand new flavor made in collaboration between CANR Dean Brian Farkas and UD food science major Melinda Hill.

University of Delaware Ag Day 2025 is supported by generous sponsors, including Blessing Greenhouses and Compost Facility Inc., Perdue Farms, Ramsey’s Farm, and SavATree.

Please note: Because of the animals present at Ag Day, personal pets are not permitted on the grounds of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.