Third time's a charm? The local Ag Society hopes so

Can you imagine Kimball County without a fair?

That is the question asked by Kimball Ag Society board member Doug Lukassen as he began talking about the ag society’s mill levy request, on ballots again this November, for the third time in four years.

The third time may be a charm, or so the board hopes.

The first time the ag society asked for a mill levy was in the primary election in May 2012 when the same ballot had requests from the proposed High Point Speedway issue, the Historical Society and the Fire Department. According to Lukassen, the fire department was the sole issue to pass. He said, “Everybody needs a fire department.”

Again in November 2014 the Ag Society mill levy request was on the ballot, alongside the historical society, and was again passed over for the other cause.

The Kimball County Ag Society has received tax monies for years, but the county would like them to have their own levy, according to Lukassen.

The maximum they can request is $12.50 annually, per $100,000 in assessed property value, though they don’t plan to request the full amount.

“If people come to our free barbecue they get their money back,” Lukassen said.

The money they receive supports the 4-H and FFA youth through judging competitions and progress shows and provides for the Kimball-Banner County Fair, PRCA Rodeo, Fair entertainment, the annual Farmer’s Day Demolition Derby, the Kimball Ranch Rodeo and the Farm Safety Day, just to name a few.

“Besides all that, the buildings are used for tumbling, anniversaries, weddings, birthday parties, garage sales and auctions,” Lukassen said. “Anybody can rent the buildings, anybody can use it. You know, they blessed the new ambulance in the hog building yesterday. If the event center closes, where else are you going to find to have some of this stuff?”

The board, consisting of 12 members, is the sole responsible party for upkeep to the property, including maintenance, cleaning and of course, paying the bills.

“We got one of the best looking fairgrounds in the state,” he said. “We have the arboretum, to the north. That is another educational thing.”

The all-volunteer board, one of whom have been members for more than 30 years, take care of the buildings and grounds, according to Lukassen, who has been a 16-year member.

“We are always looking for more people to run for the board because there are some that want to get off,” he said. “Then there are people who wanted to be on the board, and then they don’t last long because they don’t realize the commitment.”

The Kimball County Ag Society’s mission is simple, to educate others about the multiple aspects of agriculture and encourage youth in agricultural adventures.

“We are there to educate the public about agriculture, and if you look at the people that return to our town, they are almost all 4-H or FFA kids,” he said. “If we want to keep this community going and have kids come back, we need this. Can you imagine Kimball County without a fair?”