Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture have announced the distribution of more than $1.4 million to support 80 local fairs and livestock shows across the state.
The funding, awarded through the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Fair Funding Program, will assist with operational costs, facility upgrades, and livestock-related expenses.
“Agriculture isn’t just Arkansas’ largest industry – it’s part of our way of life,” said Governor Sanders. “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.”
Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward emphasized the importance of fairs in connecting communities to agriculture and educating youth. “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,” Ward said.
The funding supports events ranging from large regional fairs to smaller county livestock shows. The Arkansas State Fair will receive $84,000, while district events such as the Arkansas-Oklahoma Fair, Four States Fair, and North Central Arkansas District Fair each received $54,000. Smaller fairs across all 75 counties will also benefit, with amounts tailored to their scale and needs.
In addition to financial support, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture continues to play an active role in fair operations. Last year, livestock inspectors spent over 1,600 hours at fairs and inspected thousands of animals including cattle, hogs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, and horses to ensure animal health and safety.
Established to preserve and promote Arkansas’ agricultural traditions, the Fair Funding Program requires recipients to submit annual reports and maintain detailed financial records. More information about the program and a full list of recipients is available at agriculture.arkansas.gov.