For the eighth year, Compeer Financial is helping county fairs across the Upper Midwest improve facilities and attendee experiences through its Fund for Rural America, the Farm Credit cooperative’s giving program. In Minnesota, 20 fair organizations will each receive up to $4,000 to support their fairground projects.
In total, Compeer Financial is awarding $242,000 to 61 county fairs across Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin for a wide range of repairs and upgrades through this year’s County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant Program.
“County fairs are a summer highlight for families involved in agriculture and living in rural communities,” said Karen Schieler, manager of corporate giving at Compeer Financial. “These grants help fair organizers enhance the experience for exhibitors and visitors by funding essential updates to buildings and grounds. Fair organizers work tirelessly to ensure a positive, memorable event each year, and we’re proud to support their efforts.”
County fairs are rural staples in bringing together people of all ages to learn about and experience agriculture up close. Last year’s fairs saw an average attendance of 42,298. Compeer Financial designated the County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant Program to uplift the rural communities it serves. The grant program is a critical tool that enables organizers to continue offering the best possible experience to fair-goers by funding upgrades and repairs of fairground livestock buildings, 4-H buildings and livestock judging arenas.
With applicants reporting the average age of their fairground buildings as 45 years old, this year’s funding supports critical initiatives focused on enhancing safety, functionality and the experience for animals, exhibitors and visitors. By modernizing electrical and lighting and enhancing safety and hygiene, fair organizers will foster a welcoming and professional environment that enhances the overall experience and helps attract more exhibitors and attendees. Of this year’s 61 funded projects:
- 35 percent are for upgrades to building structures
- 30 percent are for electrical or ventilation upgrades
- 20 percent are for new livestock gates/pens to accommodate increasing numbers of exhibitors
- 15 percent are for miscellaneous updates
The 20 organizations in Minnesota earning a County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant include:
- Aitkin County Fair: Gates and pens for sheep, pig, goat and livestock exhibits.
- Blue Earth County Fair Association: Installing netting around the poultry barn eaves, improving lighting in the judging arena, and enhancing seating for livestock shows.
- Carver County Agricultural Society dba Carver County Fair: New siding, replacing the order window, and stainless-steel countertops for the 4-H food stand.
- Cass County Agricultural Association-Pine River: Cement and LED lights in the goat barn, sand for the horse stalls, and 4-H food stand upgrades.
- Crow Wing County Fair Association: Roll up curtains for the livestock arena.
- Dakota County Agricultural Society, Inc.: Electrical and lighting updates for the sheep and cattle barns.
- Dodge County Agricultural & Mechanical Society: Pens for goat, sheep and pig livestock projects.
- Goodhue County Agricultural Society and Mechanics Institute: A new livestock wash rack.
- Houston County Fair/Houston County Ag Society: Foundation cement for the 4-H building.
- Martin County Fair: Electrical outlets in the horse barn.
- Mille Lacs County Fair: An addition to the rabbit and poultry barn.
- Nicollet County Ag Society: A milk pump, bulk tank and compressor, and milling units.
- Pipestone County Fair: LED lights in the sheep and goat barn.
- Scott County Agricultural Society: Lighting improvements in the 4-H building.
- Sibley County Agricultural Association: Concrete in the 4-H exhibit building and the sheep building.
- Stearns County Fair Association: Installing fans in the Heritage Barn.
- Steele County Agricultural Society: Upgrading horse stalls.
- Waseca County Free Fair: Upgrading the lighting in the horse barn.
- Washington County Agricultural Society: Improvements for the horse warm up arena.
- Winona County Fair: Improvements to the livestock arena restrooms.
Since its establishment in 2018, the Fund has awarded 483 County Fair Facility Upgrade Grants for a total impact of more than $1.6 million that has improved the experiences of fair organizers, participants and attendees. The grant will open for 2026 applications in March 2026.
Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural communities throughout 144 counties in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Based in the Upper Midwest, Compeer is the third largest cooperative of the Farm Credit System.
Compeer Financial news release
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