A central feature of fairs is to educate the public about the importance of agriculture in California.

• Sixty-nine percent of fairgoers felt that they knew more about agriculture after going to a fair.
• Fairs are a critical part of the junior livestock program, which educates young people about the breeding, raising and grooming of farm animals. Junior livestock auctions at fairs grossed more than $21 million, with more than 42,000 animals purchased by nearly 19,000 buyers in 2002. Students receive 95 percent of auction proceeds.