MDARD Announces Grant Opportunities for County Fairs and Expositions

By Lynsey Mukomel

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced today that it will accept applications for county fair and exposition grants until 5 p.m. ET on March 18, 2026.

“County fairs and expos are a summer and fall tradition cherished by millions of Michiganders,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “These infrastructure and expo grants help ensure these annual opportunities for people to experience all things agriculture can continue and grow for years to come.”

MDARD’s County Fairs Capital Improvement Grant Program administers grants of up to $100,000 for building renovations, infrastructure upgrades or capital improvements that enhance the productivity, usefulness or longevity of fairground facilities. To be eligible for this grant program, prospective applicants must:

• Be a fair incorporated under Act 80 of 1855, or  

• Be a county owned and operated fair operating under Act 11 of 1929, and  

• Must not have received an award in 2025.  

MDARD’s Livestock and Commodity Exposition Competitive Grant Program administers grants of up to $25,000 to fairs, festivals or expositions for activities including promotions, awards and premiums. To be eligible for this grant program, events must meet the required number of exhibitors:

• All-species shows must have at least 200 exhibitors. 

• Single breed shows or light horse shows must have at least 500 exhibitors.