INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Next year, farmers will be in the spotlight more than usual during the Indiana State Fair, as the 2015 event will celebrate the "Year of the Farmer."

Dow AgroSciences, based in Indianapolis, will sponsor this "Year of" promotion. The announcement was made Oct. 27.

Activities associated with the designation won’t be limited to the 17-day run of the fair, according to Andy Klotz, public relations director for the Indiana State Fair Commission. Beginning early in the year, visitors to the fairgrounds will see videos touting farmers and agriculture, and fair communications will carry the "Year of" logo. The 2015 fair is scheduled for Aug. 7-23.

About 2 million people attend events at the fairgrounds annually, Klotz said. The 2014 fair drew 958,000.

The "Year of the Farmer" promotion will include a Farmer’s Care food drive, a creative writing contest for students and a speaker series on the importance of modern farming, he said. The state fair will feature a Harvest Dinner.

This will be the ninth year the fair has had a "Year of" promotion. In previous years, it has recognized popcorn, tomatoes, corn, trees, pigs, soybeans and dairy cows. Last year, officials honored the renovated Coliseum at the fairgrounds.

"Every year, we take a look at different things that we haven’t done recently that need to be done," Klotz said. "We were focused on the concept of (honoring) farmers in general. We hope this is a real shot in the arm to hard-working folks who are sometimes taken for granted."

The fair serves as the state’s largest classroom for agriculture, making it a good opportunity for Dow to help promote farmers, noted Kenda Resler-Friend, a company spokeswoman.

"Farming is the center of our universe, and as a farming company in a farming industry, our goal is to build conversations," she explained. "Farmers are the heroes of modern agriculture. This truly gives us a year-long conversation."

As a part of the sponsorship, Dow will make a financial contribution to the fair, though the dollar amount hasn’t been finalized, Klotz and Resler-Friend said. Dow hopes the general public comes away with a better awareness of the role of farmers and agriculture, she added.

"We all drive up interstate 69 or 65 and we see the crops, but is there an understanding of how all that plays into our food supply and our fuel supply," she said. "We hope the public takes away a little bit of curiosity and a little bit of understanding."

As for farmers, "it never, ever hurts to hear a thank-you from somebody. Farmers are huge risk-takers. If we can open doors and allow farmers to tell their story – it’s not about us, it’s about them. We just couldn’t be more excited about it."

A recent survey found 80 percent of state fair visitors said they had learned something about agriculture during the event, Klotz said. "Sponsors (of previous ‘Year of’ promotions) have been pleased with the results," he noted. "The track record speaks for itself. This will pay dividends for Dow and for agriculture throughout the year."

One goal for farmers will be to hopefully clear up negative images some in the general public have about the industry, Klotz said.

"In a number of different areas, farmers are frustrated with myths and misconceptions with how they grow crops and treat their livestock," he stated. "They go to great lengths to have a sustainable crop. That’s a message they want trumpeted."