2026 Agricultural Fairgrounds Advertising Promotion and Education Program

The vendor required to provide 2026 agricultural fairgrounds advertising promotion and education activities that will increase participation in and promotion of county and local fairs in state.
- Eligible projects
•    Eligible projects will increase activities that improve public knowledge of, and appreciation for, the benefits of agriculture and domestic arts through advertising, promotion, and education.
•    Projects will enhance and encourage visitor participation and appreciation of agriculture and domestic arts as well as expand existing efforts to attract visitors and showcase agriculture.
•    Projects will expose consumers to the fair brand and create meaningful, long-lasting brand recognition.
- Eligible activities
1. Traditional marketing and advertising
•    Print advertisement including graphic design and ad placement costs.
•    Billboard advertisement including graphic design and ad placement costs. 
•    Radio advertisements that promote agriculture and domestic arts and create meaningful, long-lasting brand recognition.
•    Local tv advertising that promotes agriculture and domestic arts and create meaningful, long-lasting brand recognition. 
•    Costs associated with adding the fair brand to other customer-facing marketing opportunities, e.g., bus and bench placement. 
•    Product displays that contain the fair brand strategically placed inside local stores, e.g. Free-standing displays, end-caps, hang-tags, shelf slides, cooler clings or floor graphics.
2. Digital marketing
•    Marketing efforts that use an electronic device and the internet to display the fair brand, e.g. Digital advertising, email marketing, online brochures, social media marketing, etc.
3. Educational projects
•    Educational projects geared towards the general public to increase understanding of state agricultural economy and promote public engagement.
- Eligible costs
•    Logo development or redesign;
•    Salaries and wages;
•    Contractor services;
•    Social media design consultant;
•    App design;
•    Local artwork and design for promotions;
•    Consumer marketing campaigns;
•    Fair signage for main entrance and agriculture exhibits;
•    Online ticketing development;
•    Materials and supplies for educational exhibits; and
•    Other website improvements.
- Ineligible costs
•    Any cost unrelated to the eligible project;
•    Promotional items (swag), clothing, gifts, prizes, memorabilia, souvenirs;
•    Computer hardware or software;
•    Vehicles;
•    Cell phones;
•    Website maintenance fees;
•    Shipping;
•    Indirect and overhead costs;
•    Fringe benefits; and
•    Any cost incurred prior to January 15, 2026.
- Budget: $625,000