KRS § 247.220 — KY Code / Title XXI / Chapter 247 / Section 247.220
247.220 Grant of funds to local fairs for premiums and facilities -- Fair Council -- Meetings - Members -- Standards to qualify for grant
Status: in_force

247.220 Grant of funds to local fairs for premiums and facilities -- Fair Council --

Meetings - Members -- Standards to qualify for grant.

(1) The Commissioner of Agriculture shall make grants of state funds to qualified local

agricultural fairs on a matching basis, to be used by them to pay premium awards

for exhibits and displays of domestic livestock, poultry, harness horse racing, other

horse events, and agricultural products. The premiums actually awarded shall

conform to those appearing on the premium list issued by the fair.

(2) The state may provide funds for use in the establishment of new facilities and

improvement of existing facilities for use in conducting events at local agricultural

fairs as provided by this section. No grant for buildings shall be made until the local

fair board has complied with the local fair program and qualified for the state grant

as provided in subsection (5) of this section. Grants for facilities shall be made

under regulations promulgated by the Fair Council and the Commissioner of

Agriculture. In no event shall the allocation for facilities result in a decrease in the

number of approved agricultural classes or premiums.

(3) There shall be a Fair Council in the Department of Agriculture. The council shall

act in an advisory capacity to the Commissioner in all matters pertaining to the

administration of the department's fair program. It shall be called into session when

there are matters for its consideration. It shall meet at least twice each calendar year

at Frankfort or at any other place that may be determined.

(4) (a) The council shall be composed of:

1. The Commissioner, or the Commissioner's designee, as chair;

2. The Presidents or their designated representatives of the following state

groups:

a. Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation;

b. Kentucky Association of Fairs and Horse Shows, Inc.;

c. Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation;

d. American Saddlebred Horse Association; and

e. Kentucky Walking Horse Association;

3. The Agricultural Education Consultant of the Kentucky Department of

Education;

4. The dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food

and Environment, or the dean's designee;

5. The co-chairs of the Interim Joint Committee on Agriculture; and

6. Two (2) representatives appointed by the Commissioner who are

experienced in showing livestock or animal agriculture.

(b) The Commissioner may, with the concurrence of a majority of the members

of the council, appoint additional members to the council.

(5) To qualify for a grant of state funds, a fair shall meet standards set by the

Commissioner and his or her advisory council whose approval may be given only if

the fair:

(a) Provides in its bylaws for holding an annual fair running for at least three (3)

days;

(b) Presents, through the medium of youth organizations such as 4-H clubs,

Future Farmers of America, and other similar organizations, an educational

program concerning the production and marketing of the livestock, poultry,

and horse industries;

(c) Complies with all administrative regulations which the Department of

Agriculture is hereby authorized to promulgate; and

(d) Appoints one (1) or more members to its fair board from local livestock

associations, horsemen's associations, and county farm bureaus, and selects

one (1) or more county extension agents and vocational agriculture teachers

for counties served by the fair as members of the board. Wherever local

livestock associations, horsemen's associations, and farm bureaus are in

existence, appointees are to be nominated to the fair board by these

organizations. Where fairs serve an area, appointments may be made from all

counties within the particular area. It shall be the responsibility of the

appointees to aid in establishing premium lists and planning agricultural

exhibits.

(6) Any fair receiving a grant of state funds shall file with the director of the Livestock

Division in the Department of Agriculture, by December 1 of the year in which the

grant is received, satisfactory proof that all state premium awards have been paid

and a certified notarized financial report submitted by the treasurer of the local fair

association.