As of 11/1/2023, the CPL program has provided over 970 grants totaling $115 million to over 250 different grantee organizations, improving or protecting over 577,000 acres of habitat. Demand for CPL grants has continued to grow each year as new applicants hear about the program and successful grantees return. In ML 2019 there were 99 grants awarded- 15 metro grants, 29 traditional grants, and 55 Expedited Conservation Partners grants. Through these 99 grants, over 34,000 acres were restored, enhanced, or protected. Over $10.6M was awarded to organizations for projects.
The funds will be used to educate the public on Minnesota history told by Doug Ohman. The balloon artist demonstrates an art that children enjoy and are intrigued by. Lawrence Hacker will demonstrate his blacksmithing skills in our Historic Blacksmith Building keeping the skill alive for this generation.
This year the Wilkin County Ag Society will use the legacy grant to hire musical entertainment throughout the duration of the fair. We will also have a magician and balloon artist for two days of the fair. This year we will be having a draft horse pulling demonstration that will include the history of how horse pulls played a role in early county fairs.
We want to invite back to our fair:
- Doug Ohman who is a History Teller, he brings different content for the different sessions he does at the fair.
- Kevin Lindh is a balloon twisting artist. In the past he's had a continuous line of children to get their unique balloon figures. He does animals, characters, shapes, etc.
- Jeremy DeWall (and band) is a local Minnesota singer. He will bring his hometown music to our stage during the fair.
We would like to hire an agricultural educational magician to perform Friday and Saturday of our fair. Rick fiedlier and Eric Reitan will also perform. The remainder of our funds will be to host our horse and pony pull demonstrations.
