Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America, the Farm Credit cooperative’s giving program, has awarded 62 grants as part of their County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant Program, totaling $180,000. County Fair Facility Upgrade Grants support county fairs throughout Compeer’s territory by providing a means to improve the facilities and experiences they offer to their rural communities.

“While the status of summer activities at fairgrounds are still unknown due to COVID19, we know our county fairs are still in need of building, equipment and grounds improvements,” said Karen Schieler, senior corporate giving specialist at Compeer Financial.

Since the program was established in 2018, the Fund has awarded County Fair Facility Upgrade Grants to 181 agencies for a total impact of over $524,500. This year, the grants will touch the lives of 1.7 million people. The Fund intends to offer this grant again in March 2021.

“These grants will help improve fairground facilities and positively impact rural communities for years to come,” added Schieler. “We hope to aid fairs in providing visitors with the best experience possible as they enjoy the timeless tradition of the county fair.” For more information about the Country Fair Facility Upgrade Program, visit compeer. com/giving-back.

The Pierce County Fair is one of several in Western Wisconsin and 62 in Wisconsin, Minneosta and Illinois receiving support from the County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant Program.

Western Wisconsin Barron County Junior Livestock Project — to purchase a set of cattle panels for the beef barn Dunn County Fair — to pour a concrete floor in the sheep and llama barn and make upgrades to the milk house Eau Claire County Friends of the Fair — to purchase two portable PA systems, Chromebooks, and portable scanners Pierce County Fair — to build a lean-to shelter for the livestock scale Polk County Fair Society Inc. — to make updates and improvements to the 4-H and open class exhibit building Rusk County Jr. Fair — to purchase new rabbit cages Trempealeau County Agricultural Society — to repair roof leaks in the Farm Progress Arena