PA Fair Fund - Agricultural Fair Operating and Premium Reimbursement Program Grant

The Pennsylvania Fair Fund supports agricultural fairs with operating and premium reimbursement through the Agricultural Fair Operating and Premium Reimbursement Program. Eligible fairs can receive up to $14,000 for operating costs, plus 50% reimbursement for premiums, capped at $15,000. This program aims to enhance educational activities and exhibits while ensuring compliance with state guidelines, thereby fostering community engagement in agriculture.

Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Agricultural Fair Act of 1986, funds are made available to agricultural fairs, agricultural youth organizations and statewide organizations with an agricultural mission through the Pennsylvania Fair Fund.
Agricultural Fair—An annual agricultural exhibition contributing to the
development of several or many phases of agriculture or agribusiness by the conduct of educational programs, activities, demonstrations, contests and exhibits.
Agricultural Fair Operating and Premium Reimbursement Program
Helps support PA's county and community fairs with annual operating and premium costs.
The Agricultural Fair Operational & Premium Reimbursement Program supports Pennsylvania's certified agricultural county and community fairs by providing partial reimbursement of annual general operating costs and premium expenses for exhibitors in compliance with the Fair Act and State Premium Guidelines.
Eligible fairs receive the following:
A basic payment for operating expenses, the sum of which may not exceed $14,000 for Class A fairs, $12,000 for Class B fairs, $9,500 for Class C fairs, $7,000 for Class D fairs and $2,500 for Class E fairs, and
Fifty percent of money paid for all other agricultural premiums (not included in premiums paid via the basic payment) with a maximum payment for premiums not to exceed $15,000.
In addition, each county agricultural society and each independent agricultural society conducting harness horse racing during its annual fair, other than races for two- and three-year old colts and fillies, are eligible to be reimbursed an amount of money equal to that used during its annual fair as purse money for harness horse racing, track and stable maintenance, starting gate rental and the cost of all harness horse racing officials required during the annual fair. Reimbursement shall not exceed $13,000, and a minimum of $4,000 shall be used for purse money.
This is a reimbursement grant therefore the fair is responsible to cover operational and premium costs. Grants are awarded on a funds-available basis.

Eligibility

Eligible costAgribusiness productsMaterials and equipmentConducting agricultural or agribusiness educational activities and demonstrationsAwarding premiums to contest and exhibit winners at the fairOnly certified agricultural fairs may apply for reimbursement via the Fair FundFairs must meet the minimum requirement of awarding premiums in at least 12 of the 24 DepartmentsThere must be a minimum of 5 participants in each of the DepartmentsPremiums must be paid by checkFairs must operate according to the Fair Act and State Premium Guidelines

Ineligibility

Entertainment ExpensesHell DriversProfessional PerformersATV Races or ContestsDemolition DerbiesQueen Contest, except for Fair QueenParades, except for Band Competitions