Shelby County Fair Corporation plans $800,000 multispecies livestock building

SHELBY COUNTY —The old buildings have housed generations of memories for Shelby County families, serving as gathering places for young livestock exhibitors, agricultural education and county fair traditions for more than a century. Now, the Shelby County Fair Corporation is looking toward the future with plans to replace aging livestock barns with a new multispecies animal building.
The corporation is proposing an approximately $800,000 steel building that would provide updated facilities for swine, sheep, goats and cattle at the Shelby County Fairgrounds. The goal is to have the project completed in time for the 2027 Shelby County Fair, although construction will depend on securing the necessary funding.
“The buildings have served,  more than served, their purpose,” said Darren Goshorn, Shelby County Fair Corporation president. “Their tired. It’s time.”
The existing hog barns were built in 1920, while the sheep and goat buildings date to 1925. Although the structures have remained in use for generations, age and deterioration have created challenges for the corporation.
Goshorn said the board has worked for years to maintain the buildings, but the condition of the structures has reached a point where continued repairs are no longer a practical long-term solution.
Holly Christensen, a Fair Corporation board member, said she has been involved with the board for 20 years and remembers efforts to keep the aging buildings operational.
“We’ve tried to limp them along,” Christensen said.
The hog barns have experienced shifting, broken and heaving concrete foundations, along with  deterioration near the base of the buildings. Moisture and strong winds in recent years have added to the deterioration. The sheep and goat buildings are also in a similar condition.
Beyond the structural concerns, the existing facilities no longer adequately accommodate today’s livestock. Many of the current pens are too small or too short for modern show animals.
The proposed replacement would measure 90 feet by 215 feet and feature a clear-span steel structure with concrete floors and a drainage system. Plans include new pens for sheep, goats and swine, along with new wash racks for smaller animals.
Approximately 90 feet by 90 feet of the building would be designated for cattle, including halter cattle, bottle- and bucket-fed cattle, and groups of three animals.
The new facility would support the corporation’s year-round activities, not just the annual county fair. In 2026, the fairgrounds hosted the five-day Shelby County Fair, three open horse shows, two open swine shows, an open lamb show, an open goat show and an open beef show.
Christensen said the corporation also has opportunities to attract additional livestock events that could bring exhibitors, spectators and visitors to the community. She noted that a national goat show has been a potential opportunity, with an estimated 200 to 300 goats that could come to the area over a weekend, along with spectators.
The building project is part of a broader vision developed by the corporation in 2025 to improve the fairgrounds and expand agricultural education opportunities throughout Shelby County.
The Shelby County Fair Corporation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that owns and manages the fairgrounds. Its mission includes fostering, supporting and promoting the growth and development of agricultural educational opportunities in Shelby County communities.
Goshorn said the proposed building is another step in the board’s long-term effort to keep the fairgrounds viable for current users and future generations. The project would build on previous improvements, including the show arena completed in 2013-14.
“It’s just long-term vision by our fair board to make sure the Shelby County Fairgrounds are as viable as possible for now and for future generations,” Goshorn said.
The corporation has established an estimated project cost of $800,000 and is seeking donations specifically for the new building. The fundraising effort will be separate from the organization’s annual sponsorship drive, which helps support the fairgrounds’ ongoing operations and other activities.
To recognize contributions, the corporation has established donor levels based on donation amounts. Naming rights for the building are available for contributions of $500,000 or greater.
The donor recognition levels are:
Building Naming Rights: $500,000 and greater
Grand Champion Donor: $100,000-$499,999
Purple Ribbon Donor: $50,000-$99,999
Blue Ribbon Donor: $25,000-$49,999
Red Ribbon Donor: $5,000-$24,999
White Ribbon Donor: Up to $4,999
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, contributions to the corporation are tax-deductible, subject to applicable tax rules.
Christensen said grants may also be an option, although many grant programs require organizations to provide matching funds. Building a sufficient financial base will be important before the corporation can pursue those opportunities.
Goshorn said community support in recent years has helped the corporation make improvements that might not otherwise have been possible.
“We’ve been humbled by our support in this community and the county,” he said, adding that contributions have come from throughout Shelby County, not just Harlan. Support from the agricultural community has also been important.
The fairgrounds serve as more than a venue for livestock shows. Goshorn and Christensen emphasized the role of 4-H, FFA and other agricultural programs in teaching young people responsibility, teamwork, hard work and community involvement.
Goshorn said providing opportunities for young people remains a central reason for investing in the facilities. Christensen added that agricultural education can help connect children who do not grow up on farms with livestock and the broader agricultural industry.
The corporation hopes the new building will expand those opportunities while giving livestock exhibitors and event organizers a more functional space.
Although the construction timeline could allow the building to be completed relatively quickly once work begins, Goshorn said funding remains the determining factor. The corporation does not intend to begin construction until the necessary finances are in place.
With the existing barns continuing to deteriorate, the board is working to move the project forward while preserving the fairgrounds as a resource for the county.
For the families who have spent generations showing animals, attending livestock events and supporting young exhibitors, the proposed building represents an effort to carry those traditions into the future.
The corporation is asking community members, agricultural businesses and other supporters to consider contributing to the project. Donations would go directly toward the proposed multispecies animal building, helping the fairgrounds continue serving Shelby County’s agricultural community for years to come.
For more information about the project, or to inquire about donation opportunities, please scan the QR code above, or contact Shelby County Fair Corp Members Darren Goshorn, 712-269-0123; Kyle Manz, 515-240-1353; Lee Schoof, 712-363-3169, or Holly Christensen, 712-579-8835.