Sustainability at the Fair
Photo: Dan Waters
We are committed to reducing our environmental impact as we celebrate our island’s agricultural heritage at the Fair and beyond!
Here’s a little more information about our sustainability initiatives and how you can get involved:
Greening the Fair
Green Team Waste Diversion: Since 2018, the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society has worked to divert waste at the Fair through our Green Team sorting stations. During the four days of the Fair, strategically placed waste stations throughout the Fairgrounds make it easy for our 30,000 visitors to properly sort compostables, recyclables, and trash. Our Green Team volunteers help Fair-goers ensure that much of the waste produced at the Fair is diverted from the landfills! Want to volunteer as a Green Team member this August? Sign up for our volunteer list!
Prioritizing Vendor Sustainability: We are grateful to work with vendors who prioritize sustainability in many ways at their booths. All vendors at the Fair commit to purchasing their compostable products through our bulk order program, helping our Green Team sort more efficiently and reducing the amount of waste we send to the landfill. Several vendors also commit to sourcing their ingredients from local farms. Look out for a sign on the booth window that recognizes these vendors for sourcing locally!
Climate-Friendly Fair Initiatives: At the Fair, educational displays in the Hall and nonprofit booths in our vendor section highlight sustainable choices visitors can use to reduce their own environmental impacts. We also encourage Fair-goers to bring their own water bottles and refill at our free water stations throughout the Fairgrounds. Finally, we work with the Dukes County MVTA to adjust the bus route for the week of the Fair, making it easier for Fairgoers to get to the Fairgrounds by public transportation.
Year-Round Climate Action
Year-Round Waste Reduction: We offer waste diversion and reduction at all our flagship events, including the Harvest Festival, Barn Raisers Ball, and Meat Ball. Our organization is also a member of the 2025-2026 Crush It! cohort, collaborating with other organizations to share best practices and advance waste reduction strategies for large events across the country.
Community Sustainability Programs: MVAS also offers sustainability education year-round. For example, we offer free community mending nights each month during the offseason to encourage community members to fix their clothes rather than purchasing new. We also offer composting workshops each spring and community gardening workshops year-round. Interested in attending our community programs? Visit our Events page here.
Working with Farmers on Climate Adaptation: As part of our role in the Climate Action Plan, we’ve interviewed farmers about their climate goals and needs. Learn more about the island’s Climate Action Plan here.
Looking Forward
Our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan includes a complete sustainability audit of Fair operations, allowing us to continue to green our Fair and model how community events can be environmentally responsible. In all our work, we are committed to protecting Martha’s Vineyard’s natural beauty for future generations.