Vermont fair organizers praise $110,000 stipend, urge continued capital grants to fix aging infrastructure

Jackie Bolsom, the lobbyist for the Vermont Agricultural Affairs Association, told the Vermont Health Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on Feb. 19 that fairs across the state depend on a $110,000 annual stipend voted through the legislature and on periodic capital grants.

"We actually get a $110,000 stipend from the Agency of Agriculture that you all vote on in the budget and that is used literally to turn the lights on," Bolsom said, explaining the stipend covers day‑to‑day operating items such as premiums and ribbons. She said the committee‑voted capital grants this year total about $300,000 and are typically divided among fairs "about $30,000 to $35,000 per fair."

The stipend and capital grants, presenters said, are used to upgrade aging electrical systems, roofs and water infrastructure and to meet local building and fire requirements. "We literally could not operate without the stipend grant and the capital…