Organizers request township annual funding renewal for Wellesley Fall Fair

Galen Simmons, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Wellesley North Easthope Agricultural Society, organizers of the annual Wellesley Township Fall Fair, has asked Wellesley council to consider reinstating annual funding support for the fair.

During the township’s first budget meeting Nov. 27, agricultural society president Joanne Stewart and secretary-treasurer Mary Lichty-Neeb asked council to consider the request for the township to provide stable, predictable funding for the fair as it had in years past.

“As you know, earlier this month, we requested support for the 2025 fair and we’re grateful to receive the $1,500. Again, thank you very much on behalf of the board,” Stewart said. “Today, our focus is on how we can re-establish stable, ongoing township support as part of our yearly municipal budget. The Wellesley North Easthope Agricultural Society has been part of this community for 172 years. Throughout that time, we have adapted to meet the needs of our residents.

“While some traditions and elements have evolved, such as schools no longer receiving a fair day, our commitment to our youth engagement and agricultural education remains at the heart of our work. For the past 10 years, we’ve delivered a dairy education program welcoming local Grade 3 students to learn where their food comes from and how agriculture shapes their everyday lives. This year, we hosted over 2,200 students from across the township.”

In addition to the dairy education program, Stewart said organizers added the educational AgriVenture Tent as a feature at this year’s fall fair, giving residents and visitors another opportunity to learn, hands-on, about the importance of agriculture locally.

“For many years, the township generously contributed $1,500 to support our fair,” Lichty-Neeb said. “In recent years, the funding has not been included in the budget, and without, it has become increasingly challenging for our volunteer-run organization to maintain the level of programming our residents have come to expect and enjoy.

“We deeply value our relationship with the township and recognize the many priorities you must balance. We welcome the opportunities for collaboration, alignment with the township goals, or participation in the broader community initiatives.”

According to Lichty-Neeb, the cost to operate this year’s fair was $45,000 with just $29,000 raised, leaving a funding gap the agricultural society needs to overcome to continue expanding the fair’s educational programming without increasing the cost of admission.

Planning for next year’s fair under a theme of “Farm to Feast” is already underway, and the agricultural society hopes to include an expanded AgriVenture Tent, a farm-safety education program for all public schools in the township next spring, increased involvement with the local 4-H clubs and dressage demonstrations.

Stewart and Lichty-Neeb asked council to consider either reinstating annual township support at $1,500 or increasing that support to an amount of council’s choosing.

Wellesley councillors will have an opportunity to discuss the annual funding request at its next budget meeting on Dec. 4.