County Fair Grant Programs

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture administers the County Fair Grant Programs to help Minnesota county fairs preserve and promote Minnesota agriculture and provide access to the arts and the state's historical and cultural heritage. The programs are authorized through the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation Program, known as AGRI, and the Legacy Amendment. AGRI was established to advance Minnesota's agricultural and renewable energy industries and supports projects that preserve and promote Minnesota agriculture. The Legacy Amendment supports and preserves Minnesota arts, history, and cultural heritage, including projects and events that enhance access and education through county fairs. The solicitation provides two separately contracted funding opportunities. A total of $1,000,000 is available through AGRI, with each county fair eligible for up to $10,050. AGRI funding must preserve and promote Minnesota agriculture and is intended for the 2026 fair, although funds may also be used in 2027 and 2028. A separate $500,000 is available through Legacy, with each fair eligible for up to $4,710. Legacy funds must preserve and promote Minnesota arts and agricultural history or provide access to the state's arts, agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage. Legacy-funded activities must supplement rather than substitute for traditional programming, and Legacy funds must be used before June 30, 2027. No matching contribution is required, and grant funds may cover up to 100 percent of total project costs. Eligible applicants must be county agricultural societies and must meet the state's Pre-award Risk Assessment requirements. AGRI projects can include agricultural education displays, livestock barn improvements, livestock arena lighting, fencing and seating, sound equipment, hand sanitation stations, children's barnyards, agricultural or horticultural facility improvements, eligible judges, veterinary services, and other activities that preserve and promote Minnesota agriculture. Legacy projects can include Minnesota performers, demonstrations related to Minnesota arts or heritage, Indigenous storytelling, antique farming displays, crop art, historical displays, agricultural museums, historical markers, certain arts and cultural facility improvements, and similar activities. Ineligible costs include expenses incurred before the grant contract is fully executed or after it expires, expenses reimbursed by another funding source, unapproved expenses, cash payments, certain related-party purchases, general-purpose public improvements, awards and prizes, general operations and indirect costs, most food and travel expenses, lobbying, fundraising, and other expenditures outside program objectives. Applications were required through the MDA online application system by 4 p.m. Central Time on February 26, 2026. New users had to create an account and, after logging in, select "County Fair Grants FY26." The application requests applicant and authorized representative information, eligibility confirmations, attestations, and documentation supporting the Pre-award Risk Assessment, including proof of active registration with the Minnesota Secretary of State and a signed suspension and debarment certification. AGRI applicants must provide project oversight information, a performance capacity narrative, project summary, explanation of potential agricultural impact, budget and budget notes, work plan, and status information for fiscal year 2023, 2024, and 2025 AGRI grants. Legacy applicants must provide a project summary, impact narrative, applicable subject areas, budget and budget notes, information verifying qualifying performers or demonstrations when applicable, project oversight, work plan, and measurable outcomes with a plan for evaluation. MDA staff and leadership review applications for appropriateness, and the commissioner of agriculture is responsible for award decisions. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as received. When a proposed project contains an ineligible component, MDA staff may notify the county fair and provide an opportunity to submit an eligible project. The MDA also evaluates applicants' past performance and financial and operational capacity through the required Pre-award Risk Assessment. If substantial risks are identified, the MDA may request additional information, establish a risk mitigation plan, or decline to make an award. Successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified in writing. Applicants with questions about the grant program or application may email MDA.AGRIGrants@state.mn.us with "County Fair Grants" in the subject line. Assistance with the online application system is available at 651-201-6500 or through the same email address. Applications were due February 26, 2026, at 4 p.m. Central Time. If MDA had questions, it expected to contact an applicant within one month of submission. Once a proposal was approved, MDA would send a grant contract, which the grantee had 30 days to sign and return. No project expenses may be incurred until the grant contract agreement has been fully executed and reached its effective start date, whichever occurs later. Advances are not available; payments are made by reimbursement and require proof of purchase and proof of payment. Written progress reports are required at least annually until grant funds are expended and contract terms are satisfied, followed by a closeout form. AGRI funding can remain available through spring 2029, up to three years after the start date, while Legacy funding must be used by June 30, 2027. Reimbursement requests must be submitted no later than 60 calendar days after the applicable grant end date.

Apply early and preferably at least 24 hours before the deadline; answer all application questions completely within stated character limits; ensure AGRI projects can be justified as preserving and promoting Minnesota agriculture; ensure Legacy projects clearly provide access to or education about Minnesota arts, history, or agricultural and cultural heritage; do not make purchases, deposits, or other payments before the grant contract is fully executed and effective; respond promptly if MDA requests clarification so there is time to revise an ineligible project before contracting