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State Fair Board hears growth in 4‑H participation, sponsorship and events planning for 2025
Summary
Board reports showed a roughly 10,000‑person increase in 4‑H participation, ongoing FFA and agriculture program planning, expanding sponsorship outreach and early concert/talent planning for the 2025 fair season.
Board members and staff used the Nov. 15 meeting to review programmatic and sponsorship work as planning advances for 2025.
Kathleen Lodl reported that 4‑H programming, which operates on the federal fiscal year ending Sept. 30, saw participation numbers increase by about 10,000 people. Ryan Hassebrook provided FFA programming updates and noted that standard handbook and DNA envelope processes remain unchanged.
Jaime Parr and sales staff summarized sponsorship outreach, saying fourth‑quarter contact efforts reached some 40–50 accounts and identified new partners including Nature Hill, TD Auto, Bomgaars, Chief Industries and FNBO. Lindsey Koepke of the 1868 Foundation said the foundation is developing a five‑year capital plan, pursuing year‑end donor renewals and exploring grant opportunities to support tourism marketing and AKSARBEN‑related activities.
Events Director Karli Schulz said offers are out for four concerts with one pending, that staff are refining the 2025 events budget and considering additional genres and dirt events to diversify programming. Staff also described steps to improve concession and accounting reporting, stop chargebacks and issue RFPs for talent‑buying services in 2026.
Agriculture Director Vaughn Sievers reported on post‑fair meetings with superintendents, the Calf Challenge application deadline and rising program costs that the department is trying to offset with sponsorships; a new position in the Ag department is planned.
Board members thanked staff for sponsorship and planning work and were urged to share partner leads. The board received these updates as part of routine staff reports; no formal votes on these program items were taken during the meeting.
