The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has announced the 2025 Transportation for Youth to County and Local Fairs Competitive Grants Program. This program aims to provide financial support for transportation and related costs to bring youth groups to county and local fairs during the 2025 fair season. These fairs play a crucial role in promoting agriculture and the domestic arts, giving young participants the opportunity to engage with and learn about local agricultural practices. By funding transportation and associated activities, the program seeks to enhance youth participation in fairs, increasing awareness of agricultural careers and education while supporting local economies.

The program is open to agricultural and horticultural corporations that sponsor fairs and receive premium reimbursements, county extension service associations, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and Indian tribal organizations. Applicants may request funding up to $25,000 for eligible projects that facilitate youth transportation to fairs. Funds may be used for transportation expenses, fair entry fees, meals for participants, educational programming, and marketing efforts that directly relate to the program's goals. However, costs such as vehicle purchases, indirect overhead expenses, and marketing expenses unrelated to the project will not be covered.

Applications must be submitted through the Statewide Financial System (SFS) Grants Management System by February 18, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Only proposals submitted through this system will be considered, and late submissions will not be accepted. An informational workshop will be held virtually on January 16, 2025, to provide guidance to potential applicants. Additionally, all questions regarding the application process must be submitted in writing by January 31, 2025. Responses to these inquiries will be posted online by February 7, 2025.

Applicants must demonstrate their experience and commitment to youth development and agricultural education through a detailed project proposal. The application process requires responses to questions regarding the project’s impact, outreach strategies, anticipated attendance increases, community involvement, and budget justification. A clear work plan must be outlined, including project objectives, specific tasks, performance measures, and expected outcomes. The grant program follows a competitive evaluation process where applications are scored based on project description, feasibility, anticipated benefits, cost reasonableness, organizational capacity, and external support.

Grant awards will be announced in March 2025. Contracts will begin on March 1, 2025, and projects must be completed by September 15, 2025. Awarded applicants will be required to submit reimbursement reports, quarterly progress reports, and a final report detailing the project’s outcomes. Funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis, with an initial payment of up to 25% of the total award available at the Department’s discretion. The final 10% of the award will be withheld until the final project report is approved.

This program supports the broader goal of fostering youth interest in agriculture while contributing to the sustainability of local fairs. It ensures that young individuals, particularly those with limited exposure to agricultural settings, can attend these fairs and benefit from educational experiences that may inspire future careers in the field.