OUR OPINION: The fair brings lots of business to the area and gives various student organizations the opportunity to showcase their work but also brings a lot of traffic.The State Fair brings in hundreds of thousands of people from all parts of North Carolina and injects millions of dollars into area businesses.The University is next to the State Fairgrounds and works closely with fair organizers to bring students and exhibits to the State Fair. It should work with fair planners to reduce road traffic on the roads.John Rayfield, an assistant professor in agricultural and extension education, said the University has a great relationship with State Fair planners. Various student organizations, like the Collegiate Future Farmers of America, the Animal Science Club, the Poultry Science Club, the Agriculture and Extension Education Club and the Food Science Club have the chance to run exhibits to entertain and inform people about agriculture.These organizations run or participate in a number of exhibits, which Brian Long, director of the fair’s press office, said highlights the state’s rich agricultural history and increases public awareness of what North Carolina agriculture gives to its residents. Long said the fair also brings in large numbers of vendors and holds a job fair to hire temporary workers for fairgrounds operations alone — vendors usually hire people separately.The fair also brings in millions of dollars to local business, like gas stations and hotels.Despite the impact the State Fair has on the Raleigh economy, Long says it has no real effect on North Carolina’s agricultural production — the fair is no longer a hub for new advances in farmingRegardless, the fair benefits the University. The fair creates opportunities to highlight more than its agricultural programs.This is the University’s Year of Energy, and the new Green N.C. exhibit at the State Fair complements this initiative by highlighting ways people can save energy. This focus on green technology could solve the inevitable traffic jams around the Fairgrounds and boost the state’s economy.Long said several local transit authorities provide service to park and ride lots as a solution to the traffic problems. The State Fair provides a practical place to demonstrate new green technologies and increase public awareness about agricultural and environmental advances.The fair is a fun place. But the University can also make the fair be a showcase for the future of the state’s agricultural tradition.