NY Announces $350K Grants for Youth Fair Transportation

By Blake Jackson

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball has announced that $350,000 in funding is now available through the Transportation for Youth to County and Local Fairs Competitive Grants Program.

Entering its second round, this initiative supports transportation and related expenses for youth groups to attend county and local fairs during the 2026 fair season.

The program aligns with Governor Kathy Hochul’s efforts to strengthen agricultural education, enhance youth engagement at local fairs, and improve coordination between county fairs and The Great New York State Fair.

“Our county fairs are hubs for agricultural education. Recognizing this, our Transportation for Youth to County and Local Fairs Program is designed to help more young people from different backgrounds visit a fair and learn about agriculture, perhaps sparking an interest that will lead to a career," Commissioner Ball said. "This program was a big success in its first year and I look forward to seeing it continue to grow in this second round.”

The 2026 program aims to expand youth attendance and participation in agricultural activities while helping students appreciate the importance of agriculture and domestic arts.

Applicants may request up to $25,000 in funding to develop projects that provide transportation and educational opportunities for youth at county or local fairs.

Eligible projects must focus on enhancing agricultural awareness through experiences that expose participants to local farming, food systems, and community-based agricultural traditions. The goal is to inspire students, particularly those with limited exposure to agriculture, to explore educational and career paths within the agricultural sector.

Grant funds can be used to cover transportation, fair admission fees, meals, educational programming, and related marketing activities.

Applications must be submitted via the Statewide Financial System Grants Management System (SFS GM) by Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. For registration details and additional information, visit agriculture.ny.gov/rfp-0385-2026-transportation-youth-county-and-local-fairs-program.

Photo Credit: pexels-karolina-grabowska