378 agricultural shows receive almost $34 million in payments

With COVID-19 having had an unprecedented impact on agricultural shows and field days during the past year and with most events cancelled in 2020, the Federal Government has approved almost $34 million in payments to 378 agriculture shows and field days.

The Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program aims to provide operational support for agricultural shows societies and organisers of agricultural field days that cancelled their scheduled show or agricultural field days in 2020 because of COVID-19.

Announcing the program, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud stated “this funding supports hundreds of our regional and remote country shows and field days held throughout Australia, as well as the big Royal Shows. 

“The Government is keen to ensure show societies and field day organisers are in the best shape possible to continue in 2021 and beyond.

“These events bring our families and farmers together, build community spirit and help bridge the divide between country and city. They also help farmers stay competitive by providing an opportunity to share innovation and new ways of doing business.

“They are uniquely Australian and provide huge economic spin-offs for the local communities hosting them as well as opportunities for the businesses and services who exhibit.”

For some shows, this is on top of support already received through the Federal Government’s $20 million Regional Agricultural Showground Development Grants program, to upgrade, maintain or build new showground infrastructure. In addition, state governments have also been releasing funds for shows and showgrounds.

Mindful of the impact of show and field day cancellations on regional Australia, the Federal Government highlights that “agricultural shows and field days contribute more than $1 billion to the economy each year.

“They attract more than six million patrons and are supported by more than 50,000 volunteers.”

Click here for further information about the Government support of show societies and the grant recipients.