The Ontario Government is supporting rural fall fairs hit hard by the cancellation due to COVID-19.
They are expanding eligibility for Ag societies to apply for funding to help offset the financial losses.
In one-time funding this year only, almost $1 million dollars will be made available to all qualifying agricultural and horticultural societies to help ensure their operations.
Previous to now, organizations could only qualify for provincial funding if they operated a fall fair.
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman says these organizations are the backbone of rural Ontario and that it was difficult for them to cancel these fairs and events this year.
Hardeman says they hope this funding will alleviate some of the burden they are experiencing.
The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies has reported that over 175 fall fairs and events have been cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19.