Awards and Contests

Nominees shall be associated as an employee, volunteer, or a board member of a member fair in good standing with the MAAF.

Nominees shall not have reached their 41st. birthday prior to the first day of the MAAF’s annual meeting.

1. Nominations are due in the MAAF office by January 1st.

2. Nomination shall consist of the Official Nomination Form and answering the following four questions:

How has the nominee gone above and beyond the call of duty for her or his fair or the fair community as a whole?

What sets the nominee apart from other young people?

Give an example of how the nominee has made a positive impact at a fair or on the fair community.

What participation, involvement, or leadership roles has the nominee held at the fair or within the fair community?

3. The nomination shall be limited to the nomination form itself (2 pages) plus at a maximum three (3) pages of supporting documentation or additional information.

4. The person who is selected to receive the award will be notified to ensure attendance at the MAAF annual meeting. (Either in person or via video conference)

Judging will be done by a committee of five: The two previous Rising Star recipients and the MAAF President, an MAAF Director and Jr. Advisory Member, both selected by the President.

Category 1 - Agricultural experiences designed for children and by children. These experiences will include information, demonstrations, and appropriate hands on activities which introduce children to the role of youth in Maine agriculture. *

*Please indicate if your fair has a pre-existing hands-on ag education program designed for children.

Category 2 - Agricultural experiences for ALL fairgoers that educate fairgoers about the role of youth in Maine’s agriculture community . This can be a one day program or on going throughout your fair.

Division 1: Fairs operating for four concurrent days or less.

Division 2: Fairs operating for five concurrent days or more.

Please include the following five elements:

1. A brief description of your event(s) and the connection to Maine agriculture. *Specifically, Youth In Agriculture.

2. Who was involved in the planning/funding process? – i.e. individuals, community organizations, agencies, businesses, educators, youth, sponsors, etc. – and the roles they played.

3. What challenges did you face and how did you address them?

4. How did the public react to your event? – i.e. personal feedback, hits on your website, survey monkey results, photos of interaction during your event.

5. How was your event promoted? – i.e. print and social media, posters, school, local radio and promotional programs prior to the event, etc.

*For further information, contact Junia Norris, Contest coordinator or Barry W. Norris

*Each element will be evaluated on a scale of 1 – 5

1 = No evidence presented

2 = Minimal evidence of involvement presented

3 = Evidence of involvement is presented

4 = Evidence of involvement is thorough and comprehensive

5 = Evidence of in person community involvement during the fair dates – demonstrations , discussions/interviews, hands-on food preparation, availability of farmers, youth and farmers market vendors, etc.

*Applications may be submitted in digital form, as well as traditional pen and paper.

Mail applications to - MAAF, P.O. Box 3, Union, ME 04862

Applications must be received by Friday, October 31, 2026.

MAAF Foundation will be granting at least two (2) $2000.00 Scholarships. Applications accepted Jan 1 – April 15.

The grant is being judged “blind,” meaning the judging committee does not know the applicant’s identity.

Graduating High School Senior pursuing post-secondary education in an agricultural related field.