The Legacy Grant funds will be used to enrich our guests with entertaining learning experiences. Funds will be used for all guests to learn a bit more of our history with a presentation by Rob Fairbanks, a Native American who motivates as he speaks to groups and teaches them of his life on the reservation and his ancestors way of life and how it relates today.
The farming of lumber is a huge part of Minnesota history. In fact the towns of Bemidji, Akeley, and Brainerd, Minnesota have each boasted themselves the birth place of the famous Paul Bunyan. It is our goal to remind community members of this rich Minnesotan tradition of tree falling by having a demonstration of lumberjacks (a free event) at the fair this year. At the end of the lumberjack event there will be time for kids to do hands-on learning and training of how our ancestors worked with wood, not only to build homes but to create a living.
For our Magic Village- Kelvin does an agriculture-related magic show that is fun for all ages. Also Todd-N-Tina will come. They are educators in the art of dance/movement and getting energized by involving youth and adults to get off their seats and on their feet. They promote fun in music, song and dance.
To expand arts, educational, and history programming at the Scott County Fair. Funds will be used to bring the county historical society to the fair to share their educational resources, host quilting demonstrations, feature a local polka band, and presentations about the role of animals in agricultural history.
Funding supports an Irrigation Specialist to develop guidance and provide education on irrigation and nitrogenbest management practices (BMPs). In this position, Dr. Vasu Sharma provides direct support to irrigators onissues of irrigation scheduling and soil water monitoring. She is collaborating on the development of new irrigationscheduling tools that help irrigators manage water and nitrogen resources more precisely. These tools help reducenitrogen leaching losses in irrigated cropping systems.
To partner with the Scott County Historical Society to co-design a mobile recording booth big enough to house high-quality recording equipment, a table and seating for 2-4 people, and create a Best Practices manual on collecting oral histories. The booth would include a ramp and wide door and table for ADA accessibility. Scott County Fair will pilot the first round of interviews during the fair, and support the Historical Society to implement plans to manage the collection of stories, train volunteers to staff the booth, and conduct transcription.
To offer new arts demonstrations at the Renville County Fair. Programming will include a performance by an educational vocal band, and demonstrations by an artist specializing in Chinese calligraphy.
To bring new arts and cultural heritage programming to the Renville County Fair. Programming included a performance by the Red Tree Singers, a Native American group, and Kid Power, an interactive kids’ program. Funds were also used to commission a local artist to paint a mural depicting local agriculture and history.
To begin the process of significantly enhancing access to the free arts and cultural programming at the Scott County Fair. A new sound and lights system for the stage will improve the audience experience during arts and cultural shows, and performer and audience feedback will help guide the fair as they design a new stage area for future years.
To complete the state’s only mobile oral history recording studio. The Scott County Agricultural Society will completed the road-worthy customized trailer to make it a sound-proof, climate-controlled recording studio.
