CHAPTER 3. COUNTY AND DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES

IC 15-14-3
     Chapter 3. County and District Agricultural Societies

IC 15-14-3-1
Agricultural societies; subscription or membership fees; county funds
    
Sec. 1. (a) If:
        (1) at least thirty (30) individuals who are residents of any county or a district containing two (2) Indiana counties have:
            (A) organized themselves into a society for the improvement of agriculture within the county or district;
            (B) adopted a constitution and bylaws that comply with the rules furnished by the state fair commission;
            (C) appointed the usual and proper officers; and
            (D) raised and paid to the treasurer of the society, by voluntary subscription or by fees imposed on its members, at least fifty dollars ($50); and
        (2) the president of the society described in subdivision (1)(A) certifies to the respective county auditors the amounts paid, attested by the oath or affirmation of the treasurer before a person authorized to administer oaths;
the county auditors within the district in which the society is organized shall draw a warrant on the treasurer of the respective counties in favor of the president and treasurer of the society for the amount of funds that were received during the previous year for licenses issued to persons exhibiting menageries, circuses, theatrical performances, or other shows.
    (b) A warrant issued under subsection (a) may not exceed the amount raised and paid in by the society by voluntary subscriptions or fees.
    (c) The treasurer of the county shall pay the warrant issued under this section.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.5.

IC 15-14-3-2
Awards; promotions
    
Sec. 2. (a) A county or district society formed under section 1 of this chapter shall annually offer and present cash awards for:
        (1) the improvement of soils, tillage, crops, and manures;
        (2) the improvement of stock and articles of domestic industry; and
        (3) other articles, productions, and improvements;
the society considers proper. The awards must be provided in different amounts and grades so that large and small manufacturers and farmers have an opportunity to compete for the awards.
    (b) A society formed under section 1 of this chapter may perform acts the society considers best to promote agricultural and household manufacturing interests of the district and of the state.
    (c) When a society formed under section 1 of this chapter makes an award under subsection (a), special attention must be given to the

profits that may or are likely to accrue from:
        (1) the improved method of raising the crop;
        (2) improving the soil or stock; or
        (3) the fabrication of the articles offered;
with the intention that the award be given for the most economical method of improvement.
    (d) Before an award is made under subsection (a), a person offering to compete for a cash award on improved:
        (1) tillage methods; or
        (2) production of any crop or other articles;
must deliver to the awarding committee a full and correct statement of the process of the tillage or production method. The statement must show the expense and value of the process to show accurately the profits derived or expected to be derived.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.5.

IC 15-14-3-3
Publishing list of awards; reports
    
Sec. 3. A society organized under section 1 of this chapter shall:
        (1) annually publish a list of the awards made by the society under section 2 of this chapter and a summary of the treasurer's account in a newspaper of the county or district; and
        (2) make a:
            (A) report of its proceedings during the year;
            (B) synopsis of the awards made by the society under section 2 of this chapter for improvements in agriculture and household manufactures, along with summary descriptions of the improvements; and
            (C) report of the conditions of agriculture in the county or district of the society, which must:
                (i) comply with the rules of the state fair commission; and
                (ii) be forwarded to the state fair commission at its annual meeting in January of each year.
            A subsequent payment may not be made from the county treasury unless a certificate is presented to the auditor from the state fair commission showing that the report has been made.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.5.