In 2020, National Agriculture Day is on again – this year on Friday 20 November. The National Farmers’ Federation and the ASA are pleased to team up to encourage show societies across the country to get involved, by hosting a COVID-safe AgDay Long Table Lunch.
With so many shows cancelled this year, an AgDay Long Table Lunch is the perfect opportunity to bring the community together and showcase your region’s finest agricultural produce.
In its fourth year, AgDay is a national day to celebrate agriculture’s contribution to our nation and to better connect the bush with urban Australians and the production of fresh produce.
“An AgDay Long Table Lunch on the showground, where there’s plenty of room to social distance, is a great place to celebrate all that is great about farming and rural and regional Australia,” AgDay Coordinator Charlie Thomas said.
Charlie said each show society was encouraged to inject their own flavour and format to their lunch.
“Some communities may choose to invite locals to bring their own table and chairs and a picnic, others may opt to provide the seating and a lunch featuring local produce.
“There is no set format, each lunch can be tailored to suit the preferences of each community.
And, to really channel the atmosphere of the Show, Charlie said fun and frivolity was a must.
“Games like a gumboot throwing competition, egg and spoon and sack races and even a stockmen’s challenge, would certainly add to the festive atmosphere of the lunch – if carried out in a COVID-19 safe manner of course.”
“We’d also encourage inviting local media along to cover the event – maybe even the local radio station to broadcast live from the lunch!”
ASA Chair, Rob Wilson, said an AgDay Long Table Lunch, could be the perfect opportunity to officially open new showground improvements or to update the community on the progress of works underway.
“Thanks to recent Federal Government infrastructure funding, many shows have been able to carry out updates to for example, pavilions, sheep sheds and catering facilities – and other than the Show itself, what better day, than AgDay to cut the ribbon on new amenities?”
To express your Show’s interest in hosting an AgDay Long Table Lunch, register your details at https://www.agday.org.au/register-event
By registering an expression of, interest, you will receive an AgDay Long Table Lunch Guideline document which outlines tips for hosting a successful AgDay event and current stated-based COVID-19 safe information.