St. Paul, Minn. – At its 166th annual meeting, the Minnesota State Agricultural Society board, Chuck Schwartau of Goodhue, Minn., was elected to honorary life membership in the Society. Schwartau began his involvement with the Minnesota State Fair in 1963 as a youngster participating in the 4-H swine competition. He went on to a career with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, which has kept him involved with 4-H at the fair every year since. Even during a seven-year period away from the university, he judged 4-H exhibits and demonstrations at the fair. Upon returning to the Extension Service in 1985, he worked with, and often managed, various 4-H livestock shows and has been involved with the 4-H Dairy Show every year since 1986. In 1986, Schwartau joined the staff of the fair’s Open Class Beef Show and led it as superintendent from 1992 to 2021. His main goal in those 35 years was to provide the most positive experience possible for exhibitors and the visiting public. Through the years his staff included his wife, children, cousins, and close associates making it a true family affair! Even after official retirement, he worked with the new department leadership for a smooth transition. Over the years, Schwartau has been a director and president of the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs, a director and secretary for the Goodhue County Fair for 32 years, an active member of First Lutheran Church in Red Wing, and township clerk for Featherstone Township in Goodhue County. He proudly adds this honorary life membership recognition to his Minnesota State Fair 50 Year Award, which he received in 2015. Being required to miss the State Fair for the first time in 67years in 2024 due to medical treatments, the 2025 State Fair will be a special event!
The State Agricultural Society is made up of delegates from each of the state’s county fairs, plus representatives of more than 40 statewide associations representing agriculture, horticulture and education. The Society is charged exclusively with the production of the annual Minnesota State Fair and management of the historic 322-acre State Fairgrounds.
The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best-attended expositions in the world. Showcasing Minnesota’s finest agriculture, art and industry, the Great Minnesota Get-Together is 12 Days of Fun Ending Labor Day. The State Fair is financially self-supporting and does not receive government appropriation. Follow along on Facebook, X, Instagram and Threads @mnstatefair for year-round updates. The 2025 Minnesota State Fair is Aug. 21 through Labor Day, Sept. 1. Visit mnstatefair.org
