(a) The department shall administer a program to disburse state aid as an award of merit to agricultural fairs that attain excellence in fair operations. The program must, at a minimum:(1) Include classifications of agricultural fairs based on area and population served;(2) Annually designate a champion, first runner-up, and second runner-up within each classification, if the number of agricultural fairs in the classification allows;(3) Award the champion within each classification an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the state aid paid to that agricultural fair under § 43-21-106 for the same year in which the award is made;(4) Award the first runner-up, second runner-up, and other agricultural fairs participating in the program an amount less than one hundred percent (100%) of state aid received under § 43-21-106 for the same year in which the award is made;(5) Establish criteria for determining those agricultural fairs that are worthy of designation as a champion, first runner-up, or second runner-up. In establishing such criteria, the department shall consider:(A) Prominence, visibility, quality, and diversity of agriculture exhibits;(B) General cleanliness and appearance of grounds, buildings, and operations;(C) Community participation; and(D) Quality and quantity of programs and entertainment;(6) Limit participation in the program to agricultural fairs that paid at least one thousand dollars ($1,000) in premiums during the program cycle; and(7) Issue awards of merit exclusively to agricultural fairs and not to livestock shows or other exhibitions or entities.
(1) Include classifications of agricultural fairs based on area and population served;
(2) Annually designate a champion, first runner-up, and second runner-up within each classification, if the number of agricultural fairs in the classification allows;
(3) Award the champion within each classification an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the state aid paid to that agricultural fair under § 43-21-106 for the same year in which the award is made;
(4) Award the first runner-up, second runner-up, and other agricultural fairs participating in the program an amount less than one hundred percent (100%) of state aid received under § 43-21-106 for the same year in which the award is made;
(5) Establish criteria for determining those agricultural fairs that are worthy of designation as a champion, first runner-up, or second runner-up. In establishing such criteria, the department shall consider:(A) Prominence, visibility, quality, and diversity of agriculture exhibits;(B) General cleanliness and appearance of grounds, buildings, and operations;(C) Community participation; and(D) Quality and quantity of programs and entertainment;
(A) Prominence, visibility, quality, and diversity of agriculture exhibits;
(B) General cleanliness and appearance of grounds, buildings, and operations;
(C) Community participation; and
(D) Quality and quantity of programs and entertainment;
(6) Limit participation in the program to agricultural fairs that paid at least one thousand dollars ($1,000) in premiums during the program cycle; and
(7) Issue awards of merit exclusively to agricultural fairs and not to livestock shows or other exhibitions or entities.
(b) For the purpose of disbursing state aid in accordance with this section, the commissioner is authorized to receive recommendations from officers and directors of any state association of fairs to determine which agricultural fairs receive awards of merit.