Agricultural Education

Windsor Fair Agricultural Education

Donate to Windsor Fair Agricultural Education Inc.

Join us in building an education facility that not only celebrates our agricultural heritage but also equips future generations with the knowledge to sustain Maine agriculture.

A Year-Round Hub for Agricultural Education, Workforce Development, and Farm Viability in Maine

For more than 135 years, Windsor Fair has connected Maine people to agriculture through livestock shows, youth competitions, demonstrations, and hands-on learning. Each year, approximately 125,000 people attend the Fair and see the public face of Maine agriculture.

Behind that public face, however, Maine agriculture is facing serious long-term challenges. Since 2017, Maine has lost 564 farms and more than 82,000 acres of working farmland, while the average producer age has climbed to 57.5. Farmers and agricultural leaders also point to workforce shortages, limited training capacity, fragmented career pathways, rising input costs, and the need for stronger public awareness of agricultural careers.

The Windsor Fair Agricultural Education Center is being developed as a year-round, statewide resource to help address these challenges.

The Project

The Windsor Fair Agricultural Education Center will be a permanent, publicly accessible facility on the Windsor Fairgrounds in Windsor, Maine. It is designed to expand the Fair’s capacity for hands-on agricultural education, career exploration, farmer support, and partner-led programming throughout the year.

Why It Matters

Maine does not lack agricultural organizations or training programs. What is often missing is a clear, accessible front door for youth, families, beginning farmers, career-changers, and the public to understand where to start.

The Center will help fill that gap by operating through a hub-and-spoke model. Rather than duplicating existing programs, the Center will provide a central venue where partner organizations can deliver programming, connect participants to opportunities across the state, and strengthen coordination within Maine’s agricultural education and workforce network.

Core partners include UMaine Cooperative Extension 4-H, Maine FFA, Maine Career and Technical Education through the Maine Department of Education, and other statewide agricultural organizations.

What the Center Will Do

The Windsor Fair Agricultural Education Center will support:

Annual statewide convening

The Center will host agricultural education and workforce partners to align programming, share information, and strengthen collaboration across Maine’s agricultural support network

Farmer navigation and support office hours

Beginning and existing farmers will be able to connect with the Center or meet with trained advisors to discuss goals, identify available programs, and develop pathways for training, mentorship, technical assistance, or business development.

Agricultural career exploration expo

Each year during Windsor Fair, the Center will host an agricultural career exploration event connecting students, job seekers, educators, farmers, agricultural businesses, and training providers with thousands of fairgoers.

Workshops and short courses

In partnership with statewide organizations, the Center will host recurring workshops and short courses addressing high-priority and time-sensitive issues facing Maine farmers, including:

Support the Project

The Windsor Fair Agricultural Education Center is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen agricultural education in Maine.

Your support will help create a permanent, year-round facility where Maine’s farming heritage can be preserved, shared, and renewed for future generations.

Each sunrise paints the sky over our farms,

where generations have nurtured the land, growing not just crops but a deep connection to the earth. As we stand at a crossroads, the encroaching shadows of development threaten this precious landscape our open spaces, our shared heritage, and our way of life.

Preserving the farming way of life isn’t just about protecting farmland; it’s about safeguarding our history, our wildlife, and our future. Imagine the laughter of

children running through fields, the scent of fresh hay, and the peace that comes with knowing our natural beauty will endure for generations to come. It is in these spaces that our community finds its roots, its identity, and its strength. We must, not just for ourselves, but for the legacy we leave behind. Together, let’s ensure that the spirit of Maine its farms, its open spaces, and its heart-thrives for years to come.

Maine farmers are the stewards of 1.23 million acres of land operating 7,036 farms that contribute $1.2 billion to our economy. Maine lost 564 farms and 82,567 acres of farmland since the last census in 2017. Maine farms also manage 700,000 acres of open space that attract tourists for hunting, fishing, hiking, and more.

Farms are dwindling in the State of Maine. Many families have had to abandon their farms, unable to earn a modest living through agriculture. Yet, we all depend on what our Maine farms provide–fresh, local foods that nourish our communities and keep unhealthy, ultra–processed foods off our plates. As our culture becomes more aware of how our food choices impact our health, we must act to support the very farms that sustain us.

With resurgence in interest in homesteading and new technologies making small- scale farming viable, it’s crucial that families have access to the right information. This knowledge can mean the difference between a farm thriving or fading away. For those interested in beginning their journey into farming, there must be a means for them to receive education and support from those who have done the same for generations. To empower the next generation of farmers, we need a dedicated venue for agricultural education.

History of Organization

Founded in 1888, the Windsor Fair stands as one of Maine’s premier agricultural events, drawing an average of 125,000 visitors each summer. This annual gathering celebrates the rich heritage of Maine’s farming families and underscores the vital role agriculture plays in our state’s culture and economy. Windsor Fair Agricultural Education Inc., was established in 2011 to showcase and educate the general public on the importance of Agriculture in Maine.

The new Agricultural Education Center will feature a perimeter of 12-14 livestock pens for cattle, horses, sheep and goats. The massive 8,600 square foot ground floor will provide area for various exhibitions, meetings, classroom spaces and a full kitchen. It will be fully equipped to support year–round educational programs. This will be a one of a kind facility in Maine, merging classroom learning with hands–on experience in a supportive environment. The building is also designed to accommodate a future second floor for additional classroom and meeting spaces.

Cost to Complete

The total cost to construct the Education Center is estimated at $2.2 million. We will approach funding incrementally, either through phased fundraising or by securing full funding before breaking ground. Annual operating costs are projected at $25,000, which will be offset by revenue generated during the Windsor Fair.

Early Support

We have received enthusiastic early support from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Kennebec Savings Bank, Maine Farm Days and other personal donations.

The Windsor Fair Agricultural Education committee will be seeking additional support to complete the project.

Support the Agricultural Education Center

We need your support to make this vision a reality. Join us in building a facility that not only celebrates our agricultural heritage but also equips future generations with the knowledge to sustain Maine agriculture.

Every year, the Windsor Fairgrounds brings together approximately 125,000 people, uniting our community in support of Maine’s agricultural legacy. Now is the time to build a space that fosters learning and collaboration, ensuring that our farming traditions endure for years to come.

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