The facilities and landscape of the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds will soon receive a much-needed makeover, made possible by a generous donation and new partnership.

Associated Feed and Supply gave a $250,000 donation to the Friends of the Fair Foundation for the conservation and improvement of fair facility infrastructures, as well as operational support, just in time for next year's fair. The donation will also go to the creation of the Associated Feed Livestock and Exhibits Complex that will be unveiled before opening of the 2015 Stanislaus County Fair.

“This is a momentous occasion for us,” said Chris Borovansky, chief executive officer for the Stanislaus County Fair. “We have community members that believe in what we do and what we stand for who are willing to protect our fair and be involved.”

Matt Swanson, president of Associated Feed and Supply, along with Rick Swanson, and Maria Swanson, were joined by the Stanislaus County Fair Board of Directors to announce the donation at Monday's board meeting.  

“It is our honor to be a part of such a wonderful organization,” said Matt Swanson at Monday’s meeting. “It’s the lifeblood of what we do here in the valley and we think there couldn’t have been a better investment than what we have done here with the fair.”

According to Ray Souza, president of the Stanislaus County Fair Board of Directors, one of the many goals of the company’s donation is to encourage other members from the community to support the fair in light of the State's elimination of fair funding four years ago.

“We want to thank the Swanson family for their support. It is vital now more than ever to seek support and help for the fair,” said Souza. “This generous donation will be used to create educational opportunities for young ag professionals.”