Michigan Agricultural Fairs are an economic and social asset to over 88 communities. They are the ultimate showcase of Michigan Agriculture. With an attendance of over 5,782,000, they are a major factor in Michigan Tourism.
Fairs are an under-utilized resource in the Agricultural industry. Over half of the state's population passes through fair gates looking for a renewed contact with agriculture. Fairs can provide the avenue to show their visitors the good things that are happening in agriculture today and what they can look forward to in the future.
Fair attendance in Michigan is nearly 5 million people. The average Michigan fair has 282 volunteers contributing a total of 6,221 hours and $29,945 of in-kind contributions annually to help make the fair a success. The projected statewide total contribution is 8.3 million annually donated by volunteers through donated labor and in-kind contributions.
Eighty-eight fairs, 2 state fairs and 86 county or local fairs, participate in the Michigan Department of Agriculture County Fair Program. Youth Livestock Sales at fairs generated a total of 9.1 million dollars statewide in 2000, with 68 fairs reporting. The average auction generated $134, 321. This is an indication of continued community support for the livestock programs in the face of record low livestock prices at the market. Figures are up from $127,762 in 1999.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture is actively involved in providing programming and incentives to meet the demands of putting on successful fairs. Funding is provided to fairs through:
Premiums: $1,707,900
Matching Assistance to Fairs: $966,300
Purses for county fair harness racing:$2.4 million
Standardbred Stabling and Training program
Livestock Competitive Grants: $120,000
The Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, the Michigan Department of Agriculture (http://www.michigan.gov/mda) and Michigan State University provide fair management, staff and volunteers workshops on:
Fair & Event Management
Educational and Agricultural exhibits
Effective Youth, 4-H and Fair relations
Emergency Management during events at fairground facilities
Public & Animal Health at the Fair
Maintaining the facilities for visitors and events of all types
FairTime is a joint project between MAFE, MDA and the Michigan State University Museum. Through this partnership, high quality resources and experiences are available to the fair industry - strengthening the fair's educational offerings on agriculture and increasing opportunities to expose the large lay-population to agricultural history and contemporary issues.
During this project enough money was raised through grants to fund the development of 3 traveling exhibits:
America's Fairs Educating Communities
Our Livestock Heritage Serving a Nation
Horse and Harness Racing; Early Fair Time Entertainment
In addition to the traveling exhibits, a Resource Book titled Agricultural Fairs in America: Tradition, Education, Celebration, has also been produced.
This book has been distributed to fairs and libraries throughout the state.
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Contact us at:
E.J. Brown, Executive Director
PO Box 127
Munger MI 48747-0127
989.450.5942 * Fax 989.659-2911
mifairs@yahoo.com |
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