ABOUT

SEWARD COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

Our Mission

Growing Together: Celebrating Agriculture and Community in Seward County

The mission of the Seward County Agricultural Society is to foster and advance agricultural improvements and innovations in Seward County, ensuring the growth and sustainability of our agricultural community. We are dedicated to creating an environment that supports farmers, ranchers, and all individuals involved in agriculture while striving to educate the public about the importance of agriculture in our daily lives.

One of our primary objectives is to orchestrate the Seward County Fair annually, a vibrant celebration that showcases the rich agricultural heritage of our region. This event serves as a platform to promote agricultural values, provide educational opportunities, and highlight the achievements of our youth through programs like 4-H and FFA.

We are committed to creating a welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere where all county residents can come together to engage in educational activities, participate in competitions, and appreciate the hard work and dedication of our local agriculturalists. By fostering strong community connections and enhancing public understanding of agriculture, we aim to cultivate a sense of pride in our agricultural roots and inspire future generations to appreciate and support the vital role that agriculture plays in our community.

Our History

Rooted in Tradition, Cultivating Our Legacy

The Seward County Agricultural Society is closely identified with the progress of agriculture in Seward county from the days of its earliest settlement. Its benefits to all the leading industries of farming, fruit production and stock raising are beyond estimate. In fact, it is difficult to understand what a farming and stock raising county or state could substitute to take the place of an agricultural society.

It is true the society is composed of private individuals who have only a personal interest in the success of the enterprise. But, so are the railroad companies and other companies, almost indispensable to public interest, and it is a fact that a rich county agricultural society is a positive indication of a prosperous community throughout the county.

The Seward County Agricultural Society was organized August 7, 1871, by the adoption of a constitution, set of by-laws, and the election of officers, and therefore may be classed among the pioneer enterprises of the county. The first officials were Milton Langdon, president, F.M. Ellsworth, vice president, T.F. Hardenburg, secretary, and George W. Standard, treasurer. And the names of W.W. Cox, James A. Brown, T.L. Norval and Joseph Lossee are connected with the early organization of the society.

The first fair was held from the 21st to 23rd of September, 1871, in the grove southwest of Seward. Over a thousand people were in attendance. The second fair was held at the same place as the first, and was quite successful.

During the summer of 1877, an association was formed known as the Seward Trotting Park Association. This association bought forty acres of land of the B & M Railroad Co. at ten dollars per acre, and raised the money by selling stock in five dollar shares.

Arrangements were made with the Agricultural Society to hold the fairs on these grounds for a certain consideration, and our fairs have been held there since that time.

In 1886, the citizens raised the funds to purchase the property outright, for the Ag Society, and the county commissioners made a liberal appropriation for many improvements.

The society has held fairs nearly every year since its organization, which have been generally satisfactory and are increasing in interest to the public. Their beautiful fairgrounds in Seward are second-to-none. The buildings are modern and elaborate in design.