The AgStar Fund for Rural America has increased support for the county fair facility upgrade grant program by offering an additional $20,000 in awarded grant dollars, for a total of $70,000 available.

Each county in AgStar's local service area, including Winona County, can apply for up to $3,000 to be used towards repairs on fairground agricultural buildings.

The mission of the program is sustained by helping maintain or upgrade fairground livestock buildings and judging arenas.

Applications considered for funding must be submitted online at www.AgStar.com. through March 31st.

County fair associations and 4H groups located in one of the 69 counties within AgStar's chartered territory are eligible to apply if they have not received a grant from AgStar in the past two years.