SACRAMENTO – In Governor Jerry Brown’s May Revise this month, he directed CDFA Secretary Karen Ross to develop a plan for the governor’s proposed 2012-13 budget that addresses the future operation, maintenance and oversight of the network of California fairs.

Due to the state budget crisis and a reduction of $32 million in funding, fairs will have to carefully consider how to continue current operations.

“While the budget situation definitely presents a challenge, this could be an opportunity, as well,” said Secretary Ross. “California’s fairs are an important part of our communities, and I am committed to working with the fairs to find ways they can be more entrepreneurial, including exploring options for more local control.”

The network of California fairs consists of 78 fairs operating under CDFA fiscal oversight. Fifty-two of them are District Agricultural Associations (DAAs), which are governed by boards of directors appointed by the governor.

According to Gov. Brown’s directive, the plan to be developed by Secretary Ross shall include real and personal property holdings and the feasibility of restructuring the governance of fairs.