County fair season kicked off this month with a number of fairs set to receive funds from the state to improve their infrastructure.
The New York State Agricultural Fairgrounds Infrastructure Improvement Program was set up in 2016 to help local fairs offset the cost of agricultural improvement and renovation projects. The 2017-2018 New York State budget allowed $5 million this year for the program.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball said county fairs help consumers connect with their local farmer.
"When you look at the number of people engaged with agriculture today its about 1% of our population thats feeding the rest of us. So 99% of our population needs to connect with us and county fairs are just a great opportunity to connect those dots."
Its the first time in nearly a decade that many of the county fairs will receive improvement funding from the state.
Ball said a growing interest in local food has brought more people out to these events.
More than 50 county and youth fairs operate around the state from July to early October.
