You Make THE Difference Foundation
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YMTD Initiative · Fairs & Ag Societies

Fairs and Agricultural Societies bring rural communities together and help shape their future.

As leadership passes to a new generation, we equip, support, and celebrate the people who keep these vital institutions thriving across the United States and Canada.

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An initiative of You Make THE Difference Foundation
A nonprofit community benefit organization

YMTD Initiative — Fairs & Ag Societies
Participants gather for a group photograph with YMTD Initiative in Heartland.
YMTD Initiative participants · Heartland

Local people. Strong community institutions.

Built for the people who keep fairs moving.

Fairs connect generations, celebrate agriculture, and bring communities together. Their future depends on the people who give their time to lead them.

The YMTD Initiative equips those people with practical tools for leadership, volunteer engagement, and the long term strength of their organizations.

Who it serves
Fair boards and agricultural societies · State and provincial associations · Volunteers and community leaders · Civic partners

A message from our founder

Why this work matters.

Founder Ian Hill shares why supporting the people who steward our fairs matters for the future of rural communities.

YMTD Initiative Across the United States & Canada

The associations strengthening local fair leadership.

Explore state and provincial association logos on the YMTD Initiative map across the United States and Canada.

YMTD Initiative association map across the United States and CanadaThe map includes the United States and Canada. Twenty one U.S. states and six Canadian provinces are highlighted. Association logos are shown where supplied; the YMTD Initiative logo is used elsewhere. Explore a highlighted region or use the location selector for association details. Hawaii is repositioned as an inset. Alberta: Alberta Association of Agricultural SocietiesBritish Columbia: BC FairsManitoba: Manitoba Association of Agricultural SocietiesNew Brunswick: New Brunswick Fairs and Exhibitions AssociationNewfoundland and Labrador: no association shownNova Scotia: no association shownNorthwest Territories: no association shownNunavut: no association shownOntario: Ontario Association of Agricultural SocietiesPrince Edward Island: no association shownQuebec: no association shownSaskatchewan: Saskatchewan SAASYukon: no association shownAlaska: no association shownAlabama: no association shownArkansas: no association shownArizona: no association shownCalifornia: no association shownColorado: no association shownConnecticut: no association shownDistrict of Columbia: no association shownDelaware: no association shownFlorida: Florida fair associationGeorgia: Georgia fair associationHawaii: no association shownIowa: Iowa fair associationIdaho: no association shownIllinois: Illinois fair associationIndiana: Indiana fair associationKansas: no association shownKentucky: Kentucky fair associationLouisiana: no association shownMassachusetts: no association shownMaryland: no association shownMaine: Maine fair associationMichigan: Michigan fair associationMinnesota: Minnesota fair associationMissouri: Missouri Association of Fairs and FestivalsMississippi: no association shownMontana: no association shownNorth Carolina: no association shownNorth Dakota: Heartland associationNebraska: no association shownNew Hampshire: Vermont and New Hampshire fair associationNew Jersey: no association shownNew Mexico: no association shownNevada: no association shownNew York: no association shownOhio: Ohio Fair Managers AssociationOklahoma: YMTD InitiativeOregon: no association shownPennsylvania: no association shownRhode Island: no association shownSouth Carolina: South Carolina fair associationSouth Dakota: Heartland associationTennessee: no association shownTexas: no association shownUtah: no association shownVirginia: no association shownVermont: Vermont and New Hampshire fair associationWashington: Washington State fair associationWisconsin: Wisconsin fair associationWest Virginia: YMTD InitiativeWyoming: YMTD Initiative

Hover over or tap a highlighted state or province for its association logo, or use the location selector. With a keyboard, press Enter on a highlighted region. Enlarge to explore smaller locations.

Highlighted locationsNo location highlighted
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Fairs.com

Supported by Fairs.comWe appreciate Fairs.com’s support of the YMTD Initiative and the people who keep fairs and Agricultural Societies strong.

Association logos identify the highlighted states and provinces. Where an association logo has not been supplied, the YMTD Initiative logo is shown.

Map adapted from Lokal Profil’s public domain U.S. and Canada map.

Practical support, beyond a single day

Learn together. Put it to work. Keep going.

The YMTD Grant equips fair boards with practical training, continuing resources, and access to the YMTD mobile app at no cost to participants. It helps state associations support the people who keep local fairs strong.

The YMTD Grant also includes Ian Hill’s in person participation at your annual conference or convention, with a featured keynote address and all associated travel, lodging, and participation costs covered.

Explore the YMTD Grant

01

A practical workshop

3.5 hours · In person

Work through volunteer recruitment, leadership fatigue, team development, and financial sustainability with Ian Hill.

02

30 days of follow up

Put learning into practice

Use the follow up platform and post training materials as your board turns workshop ideas into next steps.

03

Resources and connection

Keep the work moving

Return to guides, tools, and the YMTD App for learning and connection beyond the workshop.

Organizational Transformation

Prepare your organization for the next generation.

Your fair or agricultural society carries knowledge, relationships and traditions worth strengthening. The YMTD Organizational Transformation Program helps your board and leadership team understand where you stand, agree on what comes next and put a practical plan into action.

Each engagement combines assessment, strategic planning, governance and succession work with 90 day reinforcement and implementation support.

Explore Organizational Transformation
Community members participate in a learning session with YMTD Initiative in Canfield, Ohio.
YMTD Initiative participants · Canfield, Ohio

WHAT GUIDES OUR WORK

Our Lighthouse Statement

Ian Hill with two participants at a Heartland YMTD event
YMTD Initiative participants · Heartland

We believe the county fair is not a relic of the past, but a vital piece of civic infrastructure and a community building institution for the future.

We believe we are in a generational handoff in the fair industry, and how it is led will determine whether these institutions thrive or fade.

We believe our responsibility is to help those who steward it succeed.

By equipping, supporting, and celebrating leaders at every fair in the United States and Canada, we multiply their capacity to lead, adapt, and build strong, sustainable institutions, so what has been built endures from one generation to the next.

Take the next step

Apply for a YMTD Grant

Choose the next step for your organization: U.S. state associations and federations can use the application below, while Canadian agricultural societies and associations can visit our Canadian website for program information and next steps. Tell us about your community’s needs and the leaders you want to support.

United States

State associations & federations

Use the U.S. application to tell us about your association, the challenges your fair boards face, and the outcomes you want to work toward.

Start the U.S. application

Canada

Agricultural societies & associations

Visit the Canadian website for program information and next steps for agricultural societies and associations in your province.

Click for YMTD Canada

Representing an individual fair board, or unsure where to start? Talk with our team. Already participating? Open the YMTD App.

From the fair community

People learning together.

Workshop participants gather for a group photograph in Jacksonville, Florida.
Workshop participants · Jacksonville, Florida
Participants discuss workshop materials around U-shaped tables while a facilitator leads the session.
Workshop · June 9, 2026
“He gave us all a ton of knowledge that we can and will work with.”
Tommy MatthewsYMTD Initiative · Participant feedback
“Great information, productive conversations and a new and refreshing perspective on the future of Ag Societies in our province. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and tools with our team.”
Lindsay SlettenYMTD Initiative · Swift Current, Saskatchewan
“Thanks, Ian, for the valuable information on how to grow our fair and connect our communities.”
Jack WagonerYMTD Initiative · Hopkins, Kentucky
“I left with valuable tools and insight that will help me in my daily work. Thank you!!!”
Kasi HabermanYMTD Initiative · Heartland
“Ian is a very well informed and passionate speaker! He shared with us relevant and actionable information that can be applied to any organization, business or individual looking to be better and do better for their community.”
Donna DaweYMTD Initiative · The Pas, Manitoba
“Well worth carving out the time to attend. Ian Hill delivered a road map to help fairs of all sizes in Maine succeed. Everything he covered was a useful takeaway.”
Sarah PerkinsYMTD Initiative · Maine
“Fantastic presentation. Motivation and the tools to move forward and make a difference in your COMMUNITY!”
Grant ScheirlinckYMTD Initiative · Swift Current, Saskatchewan
“Such a great evening! Thank you all for providing such an energizing seminar!”
Brianna Barnes HillYMTD Initiative · Hopkins, Kentucky
“We learned new approaches to reaching out to the community and growing the fair base. All this wonderful advice comes with 30 more days of tips, tricks, guidance and training, too. It was rejuvenating and totally worth the trip and time.”
Sioux Empire Fair Arts CenterYMTD Initiative · Sioux Empire
“What an energizing evening with Ian Hill! His message, ‘You Make the Difference,’ reminded us that thriving communities are built by people who step forward, lend a hand and work together.”
Jim BerscheidYMTD Initiative · The Pas, Manitoba
“Great seminar with ideas to help with attendance, volunteers and keeping fairs going for the future!!”
Beth LeavittYMTD Initiative · Maine
“Definitely worth the time to attend this workshop.”
Mike HollisYMTD Initiative · Swift Current, Saskatchewan
“This was a great kickoff to the week! It was absolutely fantastic!”
Darrin BentonYMTD Initiative · Hopkins, Kentucky
“Don't hesitate to attend this if it's at all close to you. You don't have to be a fair board member to appreciate the education. The information is so relevant and informative!!”
Vicci StangeYMTD Initiative · Participant feedback
“It was an amazing presentation!”
Teresa RobertsYMTD Initiative · The Pas, Manitoba
“We learned about the importance of buy in and to reflect on how people want to feel when they interact with our fair...because today's fairgoers want experiences.”
Junia Seamans NorrisYMTD Initiative · Maine
“This was an amazing night. Ian is so full of knowledge in regards to agriculture boards. He was engaging and pulled powerful feedback from everyone participating in the room.”
Angela Goddard-SchultzYMTD Initiative · Swift Current, Saskatchewan
“I’m excited to get started on sharing our impact, not just our event!”
Jayme PharisYMTD Initiative · Hopkins, Kentucky
“Excellent day! Such great information”
Jo HausmanYMTD Initiative · Heartland
“It was simply amazing!”
Opasquia Agricultural Society and Exhibition GroundsYMTD Initiative · The Pas, Manitoba
“Ian Hill is a dedicated dynamic speaker that brings passion and knowledge to anyone who attends his presentations. I was honored to have been in attendance.”
Tim DeLucaYMTD Initiative · Participant feedback
“One day I can tell my kids, I shook that man’s hand. Hope I will get to meet you again someday !”
Christiaan-Charlotte De LangeYMTD Initiative · Swift Current, Saskatchewan
“We enjoyed this event. Thanks to Pulaski County Fair Board and Ian Hill.”
Casey County Apple FestivalYMTD Initiative · Pulaski, Kentucky
“Great day. If you haven’t signed up do it!!!”
Scott WickYMTD Initiative · Heartland
“The presentation was awesome!”
Chantelle SenykYMTD Initiative · The Pas, Manitoba
“Ian Hill, Thank you for your practical and heartfelt sharing of how to build the spirit of community!! And a huge thank you to fairs.com for sponsoring this mission.”
Barb Hunt MauraisYMTD Initiative · Participant feedback
“Amazing workshop!!!”
Tammy PitcockYMTD Initiative · Pulaski, Kentucky
“Impactful Experience”
Johnnathan LalondeYMTD Initiative · The Pas, Manitoba
“Amazing night!”
Kevin HeinrichYMTD Initiative · Participant feedback
“I really appreciated his social media outline”
SamYMTD Initiative · The Pas, Manitoba
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Fairs.com logo

YMTD Initiative supporter

Thank you, Fairs.com.

We appreciate Fairs.com’s support for the YMTD Initiative and our shared commitment to the people who keep fairs and Agricultural Societies strong.

Support local leadership

Help more communities take part.

Let’s talk about supporting practical training for fair boards and agricultural societies.

Discuss a partnership

LOCAL PEOPLE. SHARED PURPOSE.

The People Making THE Difference

Meet the people at the heart of the YMTD Initiative, coming together to learn, connect, and strengthen their communities.

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