County Fair Grants help Minnesota county fairs preserve and promote Minnesota agriculture, and provide access to the arts and the state’s agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage. Funds come from the Minnesota Legislature through the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation Program (AGRI) and the Legacy Amendment.
New - Notice of Intent
County fairs needed to complete the Notice of Intent to Apply by November 30, 2021, to be eligible to apply for 2022 grants.
Amount Available
Two types of grants are available. Fairs can apply for one or both.
Category I (AGRI). Preserving and Promoting Minnesota Agriculture: $1 million available in equal shares to the state's county fairs. For 2022, each fair can apply for $10,400.
- Category 1 (AGRI) funds must be used for projects that preserve and promote Minnesota agriculture. Project examples include sound equipment for judging in livestock barns, hand sanitizing stations in barns, fans for livestock barns, and agricultural education displays.
Category II (Legacy). Promoting Minnesota Arts and Agricultural History: $400,000 available in equal shares to the state's county fairs. For 2022, each fair can apply for $4,444.
- Category 2 (Legacy) funds must provide access to the arts or the state’s agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage. Examples of eligible projects include spinning demonstrations, blacksmith workshops, antique farming equipment displays, and Native American storytelling.
Applicant Eligibility
County agricultural societies (i.e., county fairs) are eligible to apply.
Applying
1. Notice of Intent to Apply
The Notice of Intent to Apply was due by Tuesday, November 30, 2021.
If your county fair didn't submit the Notice of Intent to Apply by November 30, you will not be eligible to apply for funding this year. The total amount of funds available in each category will be divided by the number of fairs indicating that they plan to apply.
2. Application for Funding
Applications are due no later than 4:00 pm Central Time on Thursday, February 3, 2022.
Read the Request for Proposals - updated 12/10/21 (PDF) for details on eligibility, requirements, and priorities.
If you need this information in an alternative format, please contact the program administrator.
