'The fair is blooming,… starting to bear fruit'

MILTON — In addition to creating an annual destination for agriculture education and family fun, the Santa Rosa County Fair Association gives back to the community that has served them for nearly three decades.

The SRCFA is a nonprofit organization that has developed into a community impact-driven group in recent years. The organization designs the yearly fair to make a positive impact on the community, according to Kyle Holley, volunteer and project manager.

The fair serves as an educational experience for children and adults to learn about agriculture and livestock, as well as a place to have good, clean fun. The profit generated from the event has always gone back to the Santa Rosa County community, Holley said, but this year the SRCFA is able to give more.

Last year, the association received a grant from the state for construction of the Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds, and $393,000 of that money has been allocated to building an event and exhibit hall on the 20-acre parcel of land. Construction is set to begin after this year’s fair ends.

The 2017 fair was profitable, allowing the association to put aside $7,500 for awards and scholarships for the youth participating in the agricultural events this year.

“Now we are beginning to see we can raise money throughout the year,” Holley said.

On March 20, the SRCFA donated $2,600 to community partners comprising Santa Rosa County 4H program; Vision of Hope; Second Chance Outreach; NAS Whiting Field Moral, Welfare and Recreation; and Boy Scout troop 427.

According to Holley, the fair association runs on 100 percent volunteer efforts. The money made by the sale of tickets, food and beverages goes toward the community impact, while the grant from the state goes solely toward infrastructure.

Recently, the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners gifted the SRCFA new animal pen equipment totaling $38,000 for youth agriculture programs that go on throughout the year. According to Holley, the equipment will be stored in the infrastructure built by the state grant, thereby depreciating at a slower rate.

While most fairs are in the summer, the Santa Rosa County Fair celebrates agriculture by holding the fair in the spring — the last frost and the time to plant.

“We are not losing sight of the work that needs to be done, and why it needs to be done,” Holley said. “The fair is blooming into a community impact role, and starting to bear fruit.”

According to the fair’s 2018 impact statement, various agriculture operations play a vital role in the local economy. The output of the operations represents $100 million of the local economy. The Santa Rosa County Fair serves as a support to agricultural residents, and a bridge between them and those who want to learn more.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article erroneously used "bare" instead of "bear."

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'The fair is blooming,… starting to bear fruit'