BLUE EARTH — There is certainly some “buzz” surrounding the Horticulture Building at this year’s Faribault County Fair.

“Snips of Learning” is an educational program through which fair-goers can learn about a variety of topics, all having to do with horticulture. For Wendy Nickel and Yvonne Cory, education in horticulture was an important addition to the fair.

“We’re both former educators, so we felt an education piece was very important,” Nickel said. “So that’s why we wanted to bring that in.”

Although “Snips” is entering it’s third year at the fair, Cory said the program is now really coming into its own. While last year’s events were limited to just one or two a day, this year there are four events daily, each with a unique topic to keep fair-goers interested.

“The first year was kind of without some success, and then last year we had some very good success,” she said. “This year we’re hoping for even bigger and better.”

As people trickle in out and of the Horticulture Building throughout the day, they are able to pick up fun facts and future projects, as well as get involved with a variety of different activities that attract all ages.

“As we keep going on and on, people start listening,” Cory said.

Each year has a theme that inspires some of the different events throughout the fair, and this year’s is bees and sunflowers. The events that are inspired by the theme include “Native Bees-The Gentle Insects,” “Sun Butter- How-to and Tasting,” and “Bees and their Pollinator Friends.”

However, said Cory, the different presenters from around the area can choose what they want to do and go based on the interest of the fair-goers. Events that strayed from theme this year include “Mason Jars Outside of the Canners,” “Wine Making” and “Backyard Tea Blends.”

“It’s been really fun to see how the residents of this area really joined in this year,” Cory said.

One event that caught the interest of many fair-goers was “Native Bees-the Gentle Insects,” presented by Nickel on Thursday. As people walked up to the table, they learned about harvesting cocoons, how to make a home for mason bees and how to take care of bees based on the different seasons.

“When people think of bees, they just think of honey bees,” said Nickel. “But there are so many different species.”

To be exact, 4,000 different species in North America. There are even 140 different species of mason bees. With that many bees, there was a lot to talk about.

But “Snips of Learning” isn’t the only thing growing in the Horticulture Building this year, according to Cory and Nickel. The various horticulture contests have attracted 19 new entrants, with many of them in the junior category.

“This building is green, growing and delicious,” Cory said.