State Fair officials ask for $642,833 in exhibitor premiums and infrastructure funds to improve camping and security

Senate Bill 2009 and the State Fair premium appropriation were the focus of testimony by State Fair officials and 4‑H and FFA youth before the Senate Appropriations Education and Environment Division.

Craig Rudland, manager of the North Dakota State Fair, asked the committee to continue premium funding to pay exhibitors and said the commission’s 2024 fair drew 342,430 attendees from across the United States and Canada. “The 2024 North Dakota State Fair was again, the largest annual event, in the state of North Dakota,” Rudland told the committee.

Why it matters: Premium dollars fund exhibitor awards that organizers and youth leaders say help young people cover project costs and reinvest in herds, tools and education. State Fair officials requested $642,833 in premium dollars; they said those funds are paid out entirely to 4‑H, FFA and open class exhibitors and not used for fair operating costs.

Rudland and Assistant General Manager Aaron Ottmeyer described operational scale: they reported 42,164 total entries in 2024, including 10,335 4‑H static exhibits, 2,347 4‑H livestock entries, and 17,043 FFA entries across static and livestock categories. The State Fair budget was described as nearly $12 million annually, with 24 full‑time staff and roughly 100 seasonal employees during the fair. Officials said the fair hosted events from headlining concerts (Thomas Rhett, Lil Wayne) to specialized agricultural competitions and the MHA Indian Horse Relay.

Infrastructure and security requests: Senator David Hogue and fair officials urged the committee to consider infrastructure projects the fair cannot fund from operations. Officials described a need for a modest shower and laundry facility adjacent to the camping area heavily used by 4‑H and FFA families and asked for funding to upgrade security and safety infrastructure (cameras, servers and other risk‑mitigating equipment). Rudland and Ottmeyer said some improvements were already funded from operating dollars (about $800,000 in prior infrastructure work), but that larger projects would require capital support. Committee members asked for a facilities map and a detailed breakdown of estimated costs; fair staff agreed to provide design and cost materials to the committee.

Youth perspectives: Seven youth — representing 4‑H and FFA from across the state — told the committee how premiums and fair participation affected learning, leadership and career paths. Students described project‑based learning, public speaking, and how premium checks were used to buy tools, travel to events and save for college.

Next steps: Senators asked fair managers for project maps and cost estimates before the committee acts on infrastructure language. The premium appropriation request (the $642,833 figure) was presented as part of SB 2009 and auditors will validate premium disbursements each year, officials said.