State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball on Friday announced two funding opportunities are available to support New York’s county and local fairs.
According to a news release from Ball’s office, the state’s Transportation for Youth to New York State County and Local Fairs Competitive Grants Program will provide $350,000 for transportation and related costs to bring participating youth groups, who may otherwise not be able to, to their county and local fairs during the 2025 fair season.
Also open for applications, the second round of the Agricultural Fairgrounds Advertising, Promotion, and Education Program “will support marketing projects at eligible fairs to further increase visitors and connect New Yorkers to agriculture,” the release stated, with $500,000 in total funding available for 50 fairs.
“Our county and local fairs are so important to New York’s agricultural industry, serving as community centerpieces that educate the public about the importance of this critical industry,” Ball said. “This is a fantastic way to make sure that our New Yorkers young and old can visit their local fairs to experience all that these exciting, educational events have to offer. I encourage all eligible entities to take a look at these opportunities and consider applying.”
The Transportation for Youth to New York State County and Local Fairs Competitive Grants Program follows a pilot program at the Boonville-Oneida County Fair in July 2024, helping young people from Utica to access the fair. The pilot program helped 800 students travel to the fair and “learn about the agricultural industries that are the backbone of New York State,” the release stated.
Funds can be used for transportation costs, the cost of entry to the fairs if applicable, providing lunch to participants, developing and delivering agricultural educational programming to participants, and marketing activities that are directly related to the program.
Applications must be submitted via the Statewide Financial System Grants Management System to be considered for funding. Proposals are due by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/28rsyt8r
The Agricultural Fairgrounds Advertising, Promotion, and Education Program will provide funding to agricultural and horticultural corporations and county extension service associations that sponsor an annual fair or exposition for the promotion of agriculture and domestic arts, the release stated. In the second round, each eligible fair sponsor in New York State has been awarded $10,000 in funding under this program, with a total of 50 projects and $500,000 awarded.