Agricultural Society

Purpose

For the improvement, development, and advancement of agriculture, domestic industry, public schools and hold public exhibits in connection therewith commonly known as the “county fair”; and to own and maintain suitable real estate and buildings and doing any and all things necessary or incident thereto for the benefit of the residents of Defiance County and surrounding communities.

Membership Dues

Annual dues are $8, payable in advance, on the 31st day of October of each year. All fractions of a year shall be counted as a full year. Must be 21 years of age to be a member and or director. Memberships are available for purchase at the Defiance County Extension Office on Evansport Road in Defiance or at Alliance Tax Service on East High Street in Hicksville.

Not-For-Profit

The Society is a not-for-profit organization, exempt from income taxes under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Society is not a private foundation within the meaning of Section 509 (a). Contributions to the Society are deductible per Section 170(b)(1)(A)(v1). The group exemption number for Agricultural Societies - State of Ohio is 1488.

New Directors

Any qualified member of the society seeking to become a Director, or any current member seeking to be re-elected as a Director must submit a completed Ohio BCI background check, at their expense, prior to requesting a petition. They must then secure a petition from the Secretary of the Society, declare what opening on the Board they are seeking, and acquire the signature of ten (10) or more members of the Society. This petition must be filed with the Secretary at least seven (7) days before the Annual Election is held. In addition to the ten signatures, candidates must work forty (40) hours on the fairgrounds before being considered for a director position. Anyone failing to meet these qualifications will not be eligible to become a director.