Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture on Tuesday announced more than $1.4 million in funding to support Arkansas’ local fairs and livestock shows.
The funding — awarded through the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Fair Funding Program — will assist with operational costs, facility improvements and livestock-related expenses at 80 different fairs and livestock shows across the state.
“Agriculture isn’t just Arkansas’ largest industry — it’s part of our way of life,” Sanders said in a press release. “The Fair Funding program helps showcase our farmers and ranchers and gets the next generation excited about agriculture — while also being a great way for small town Arkansas to come together and have fun.”
The Arkansas State Fair received the largest grant amount at $84,000. The Arkansas-Oklahoma Fair, Four States Fair, North Central Arkansas District Fair and Livestock Show, Northeast District Fair, Northwest District Fair, South Arkansas Livestock Show and Southwest Arkansas District Fair each received $54,000.
The majority of the awards ranged from $9,000-$22,000, with junior livestock shows receiving $5,400.
“We’re proud to work with fairs and livestock shows throughout the state to highlight the importance of our state’s largest industry and provide opportunities for the next generation to participate in the industry that provides the food, fiber, fuel and shelter that is critical to the daily lives of every Arkansan,” Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward said in the press release.
In addition to administering funds through the Fair Funding Program, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture safeguards animal health during all fairs and livestock shows.
Last year alone, livestock inspectors spent more than 1,600 hours at fairs across the state and inspected more than 1,800 cattle, 1,400 hogs, 2,200 goats, 1,000 sheep, 7,000 poultry, 1,700 rabbits and 470 equine.
The Fair Funding Program was established to preserve and promote Arkansas’ agricultural heritage while investing in the future of the industry. As part of the program, funding recipients are required to maintain detailed financial records and submit an annual report to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and Arkansas Legislative Audit.
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