Role and Responsibilities
Fair Oversight
The Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fairs & Expositions (F&E), a Branch within the Division of Marketing Services, provides fiscal and policy oversight of the network of California fairs. There are 52 DAA (District Agricultural Associations), classified as State entities (FAC 3953), 2 Citrus Fruit Fairs, and 22 County Fairs. The California State Fair is a separate state entity (FAC 3311). This oversight responsibility includes the following (B&P Code Sections 19606.1 and 19620):
Manage and monitor the solvency of the Fair and Exposition Fund and the Satellite Wagering Account.
- Create a framework for administration of the network of California fairs, allowing for maximum autonomy and local decision making authority.
- Guiding and providing incentives to fairs to seek matching funds and generate new revenue from a variety of sources.
- Support continuous improvement of fair programs to ensure California fairs remain highly relevant community institutions.
- Ensure annual fiscal audits and periodic compliance audits are performed.