For decades, the Meeker County Fair has been a highlight of summer, drawing families, neighbors, and visitors together to celebrate agriculture, education, and community pride. From livestock shows to 4-H exhibits, the fair provides opportunities for youth to learn and lead while giving the community a reason to gather year after year.
In 2025, fairgoers noticed a big change at one of the fair’s facilities. The horse barn, originally built in 1966, received a major facelift that addressed long-standing potential safety issues while also improving the experience for both exhibitors and visitors. The project was made possible through the combined efforts of the Meeker County Agricultural Society, local donors, 4-H families, and Meeker Energy working together through the Sharing Success matching grant program offered by CoBank.
The Agricultural Society had identified the barn as a top priority, securing an agriculture grant to replace the aging siding while private donors contributed funds for a new ventilation system.
Meeker Energy stepped forward to sponsor a critical piece of the renovation: a complete overhaul of the electrical system. Many parts of the barn still relied on the original wiring, creating potential fire hazards and limiting the use of modern equipment.
“County fairs bring people together and give youth a platform to learn, lead, and share their work,” said Meeker Energy’s Executive Coordinator, Mary Alice Holm. “When we saw the need at the horse barn, it felt like the right fit for our first Sharing Success project outside the Cooperative. It supports a wide range of people in our community while improving safety for animals and visitors.”
Through the program, Meeker Energy contributed $6,000, which was matched by CoBank for a total of $12,000 toward the project. This funding allowed the barn to be fully rewired with safer, more efficient service, and to be outfitted with bright LED lighting and a new ventilation system. Exhibitors no longer need to rely on individual fans plugged into extension cords, and the cooler, better-lit space provides a safer environment for horses, owners, and guests.
The improvements were unveiled at the 2025 Meeker County Fair, earning enthusiastic praise from 4-H families and fair visitors. Exhibitors shared that the upgrades help them take greater pride in their projects, knowing they can showcase their animals in a clean, bright, and safe space. The impact reaches beyond the annual fair as well. In recent years, the fairgrounds have hosted occasional horse shows, but with the upgraded facilities, additional events are already being planned. 29-10-304 A barrel racing event sponsored by Cowgirl Tuff Company is set for this fall as a fundraiser for the 4-H horse project and riding arena updates. Fair organizers hope to see even more shows and activities in the future, bringing visitors to the fairgrounds throughout the year.