Fairs Are Vital To Farm Economy, Education Efforts, Says Newhouse

One of the many events that took a hit in 2020 because of the pandemic, the local, regional and even state fairs across the northwest. In an effort to help those fairs weather this financial storm, Central Washington’s Dan Newhouse is a co-sponsor of the Agricultural Fairs Rescue Act. The proposal would provide $500 million in grant funding for fairs through their state department of agriculture, in hopes of keeping those fairs going into the future.

Newhouse said fairs are vital for farm country for a variety of reasons.

“They provide great educational opportunities to the general public about the importance of agriculture which, I think is critical as we move forward, that we have an informed public who has an appreciation for where their food comes from.”

Newhouse added the general public also needs to understand the importance of a strong Ag economy, and local fairs help get that message out in a fun, lighthearted way. In addition to the Agricultural Fairs Rescue Act, lawmakers are also looking at the Protecting Fairs During Coronavirus Act which would establish a $5 billion federal grant program for state and county fairs, with funding available in both 2020 and 2021.

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