Grants bring total awarded under Commissioner Shell to $2.2 million

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 10, 2026) – The Kentucky Department of Agriculture recently awarded $721,141.45 in grants to nine county fairs to support new construction and revocation projects. Since 2024, more than $2.2 million has been awarded for county fair improvements under the leadership of Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell. 

"County Fairs are the heart of many agricultural activities and communities across the state," Commissioner Shell said. "As an agriculture enthusiast, I understand the importance and symbolism of our county fairs. I am thrilled that, since becoming Commissioner, I have had the privilege of awarding millions for improvements to these stalwarts for our agriculture community. These grants will allow county fair boards to enrich the fair experience for their communities and their agricultural partners."

The amount and the recipient of each grant include:

• Allen County – $100,000 for site work, installation of a gravel pad, electrical work, and the demolition of bleachers. 
• Carroll County – $33,937.39 for fairgrounds lighting and installation.

• Garrard County – $75,000 for concession cooler, bleachers, and a pageant building addition which includes concrete, plumbing for restrooms, and a sidewalk.

• Lincoln County – $89,488.75 for a Floral Hall addition and improvements, a concession addition and improvements, a new youth building, and improvements for the pageant, office and commercial building. 
• Madison County – $100,000 for gravel lot and roadway paving.

• Muhlenberg County – $95,000 for track bleachers, concrete and gravel, site work, fencing and installation. 

• Nelson County – $40,381.20 for replacement of the pavilion building. 

• Taylor County – $100,000 for a 40-foot by 72-foot hoop barn, electric, and the purchase of approximately 36 acres for the fairgrounds. 

• Todd County – $87,334.11 for a 50-foot by 96-foot building, electric and water, dirt work, a bleacher, and a perimeter fence. 

Any incorporated fair board in Kentucky may apply with the State Aid to Local Agricultural Fairs Program for grants in the amount of $10,000-$100,000. Each grant will fund 75 percent of the total cost of the project, with the local fair board matching the other 25 percent. Each project must be started within 90 days of the date the project was awarded and must be completed within nine months.

Grants may be used for infrastructure or facility improvements, capital construction, or purchase of non-permanent tangible items such as bleachers or restaurant equipment.

Applications must be submitted to the KDA’s Shows and Fairs Branch and postmarked no later than Oct. 1 of each year. The Kentucky County Fair Council reviews the applications and selects the winning proposals.

For more information about the State Aid to Local Agricultural Fairs Program, go to kyagr.com/marketing/county-fair-program.html.