The Maryland Agricultural Fair Board was established by the state legislature in 1937. Originally known as the Maryland State
Fair Board, the office was based at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.
When the Maryland Department of Agriculture was established, the office was moved
to Annapolis and renamed the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board.
The board is
composed of nine members appointed by the governor.
See a list of current board members. Term of office is five
years and a member may serve a maximum of two terms. Members may come back on
the board after a break in service. The current board divided the state into
regions that individual board members manage. When a board vacancy occurs, all
activities funded within that region may nominate a replacement.
The board meets three times a year. Funding comes through
the Maryland Racing Commission through a special grant made up of unclaimed
pari-mutuel tickets and various fees. The grant process starts in December and
is finalized by May 15. Grants to fairs and shows may be used for ribbons, awards,
and premiums only. These range from the Maryland State Fair, to county fairs,
to local community shows, to youth activities in 4-H and FFA.
The board publishes an annual guide listing fairs and shows that
it funds. See the
2019 Maryland Agricultural Fairs & Shows Brochure. These brochures are distributed to all welcome centers on state
highways, all Extension offices, all fairs and shows, all chambers of commerce,
all libraries, all county farm bureau’s and the Maryland Farm Bureau. It is
also posted on the department’s website.