The Central States Fair Foundation is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization created in 2005. The foundation is committed in working as a collaborative partner with the Central States Fair, Inc., producer of the Black Hills Stock Show, BH BBQ Festival and Central States Fair. The CSF Foundation was established to focus on the future by investing in Youth, Agriculture and Long-Range Capital Improvements to the Central States Fairgrounds.
Goals the foundation has outlined are to improve the Central States Fairgrounds so future generation can experience a great quality of life for years to come. The foundation also understands the importance of supporting youth driven programs and the need to create agriculture education opportunities for youth. Supporting youth agriculture programs will bridge the age gap and develop a new generation of agriculture.
Agriculture is South Dakota’s leading industry. It has a $17 billion dollar impact on the state’s economy. The foundation believes it is important to support agriculture driven programs to increase awareness on issues that surround agriculture activity.
Under the direction of the Central States Fair, Inc., the Foundation plans to support Long-Range Capital Improvements. Improvements that will allow future generation an opportunity to use and enjoy activities that are produced by the Central States Fair. The fairgrounds play an important role in the development of communities.
Fairgrounds create a learning environment for specialty groups both young and old. It is on local fairgrounds that the youth learn valuable life lessons on responsibilities, commitment, hard-work, and dedication. However, these lessons can not be accomplished without the investment of new infrastructure and the upgrades of current infrastructure.
The goals the Central States Fair Foundation has laid out will not only have an impact on groups today, but for many years down the road. The focus is on the future, but the future starts today.
The Central States Fair Foundation is responsible for many of the long range capital improvements that have been seen on the fairgrounds. Projects have included:
- Log Entrances to the Central States Fairgrounds on Centere St., and Cambell Entrances. More log entrances are proposed in the future.
- Electronic Sign off of Cambell Street to advertise the many activities that happen on the fairgrounds.
- Future projects include the Soule Building remodel project. Fundraising efforts will begin to remodel the Soule Building for future recreational purposes at Central States Fair.
Contact Ron Jeffries or Jill Delay for more information on how you can become involved with making the Central States Fairgrounds a better place for future generations.