A G R IC ULT U R E
Welcome to the County Fairs of New York By the NYS Association of Agricultural Fairs
Agriculture, New York's #1 Industry
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he New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs Agricultural Awareness program provides support to local county fairs to showcase New York’s best in agriculture and livestock. Each year the program makes funds available to fairs to create exhibits or facility improvements that support agriculture during their annual events. These funds enable the local fair to present an aspect of New York agriculture with an emphasis on education and product promotion in the local area. With the support of the people, the local fair is the showcase. Some of the 2019 projects supported by the Agricultural Awareness program funds include: At the Chautauqua County Fair, in Dunkirk, “The Importance of Water” exhibit will feature the pitcher pump to water pump and how the growing process of agricultural products needs water to survive. Columbia County Fair, Chatham, has created an app to lead people throughout the fairgrounds to the various ag-related exhibits. It will also feature information about the history of various commodities. Fonda Fair, Fonda, will create live size stand up cut outs featuring various ag related products and livestock for great photo-ops. The Genesee County Fair, Batavia, is working with FFA to
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NYSAC News | Spring/Summer 2019
create various learning labs and children’s activities throughout the fairgrounds. Gouverneur/St. Lawrence County Fair, Gouverneur, has purchased an “Incredible Milking Cow” for fairgoers to learn just how to milk a cow for real. At the Niagara County Fair, Lockport, Farm to Fork will feature the local agriculture products and will feature interactive displays and information. The Ontario County Fair, Canandaigua has created an educational display in the draft horse barn and purchased new panels and pens for the sheep barn to provide a more comfortable place for the animals while at the fair. At the Steuben County Fair, Bath, a new sound system will be used throughout the grounds and in the livestock area show ring to keep fairgoers aware of the importance of livestock judging. Wayne County Fair, Palmyra, has also purchased new livestock panels for the livestock area and the comfort of the animals. Whatever your destination is throughout New York, you will find a county fair exhibit to peak your interest. Be sure to stop by and visit one of the 52 fairs in New York. They will provide you and your family with fun, a positive experience, and insight into where your family’s food comes from, how it is grown, harvested and marketed. As people of this great state, we are proud to keep the tradition of agriculture and the State & County Fair “Standing Strong!”
