Here are some common questions about the AGRI County Fair Grant. If you have questions that are not addressed here, please email them to MDA.AGRIGrants@state.mn.us with "AGRI County Fair Questions" in the subject line. We will post all questions and answers on this page.
How will I know if my application was received?
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will email a confirmation after receiving your online application. Applications emailed will receive a confirmation within 24 hours.
Can I use the AGRI grant funds to repair the public bathrooms?
No. The grant funds must be invested in promoting and preserving Minnesota agriculture. Grant funds will not reimburse projects the benefit the general public such as restrooms, public roads or a fairground administrative office.
If there’s an error in my application or my proposal doesn’t comply with the legislative objectives, will someone at the MDA notify me? What is the next step?
The MDA will notify you within two weeks if your application is approved, rejected, or portions of proposal need to be amended or clarified.
Can I apply for multiple projects that equal $11,002.00?
Yes. And submitting multiple projects in one application, even if the projects are not similar, is allowed as long as you can clearly summarize the projects, describe how each project impacts the community, and offer a detailed budget for multiple projects in one application.
What if my project costs more than $11,002.00?
As long as you have funds elsewhere to complete the project, it is not an issue to submit an application for a project that costs more than $11,002.00. Please specify on the application, under the Budget worksheet, how much you have in matching dollars and the source. Note, we cannot fund projects that will not be completed. Therefore matching dollars must exist.
How specific do I have to be on the application about my proposal(s)?
Be as specific as you can. Even if you are not certain of who the collaborators might be, please list potential names so the MDA has a better sense of what the fair is hoping to achieve. It’s also best if the fair researches prices so the project does not go over or under budget; this should help prevent having to amend the contract.
Can I collaborate with other organizations in my community?
Yes, county fairs are encouraged to work with other organizations. For example the University of Minnesota Extension Offices or Future Farmers of America often collaborate with county fairs.
Can the outside of a building be painted?
If a building needs to be painted to protect against weather damage or for some other reason to maintain the structural integrity of the building, then the project can be funded. If a building is to be painted exclusively for aesthetic reasons (i.e.: so one building matches all the others around it), then the project cannot be funded.
Can signs be funded?
It depends on the sign. Manufactured signs explaining how to navigate the grounds, how to get to the fair or identify the non-agricultural buildings cannot be funded. Signs that are agriculture education are acceptable.
