Agricultural and Pastoral Society program

What is an Agricultural and Pastoral Society?

Agricultural and Pastoral Societies are community groups with a shared interest in agriculture, horticulture or livestock. With over 100 societies in Victoria, they can be found across rural and regional areas.

The societies have a wide range of roles in the community, from hosting events such as country shows and field days to holding fundraisers to support local priorities and agricultural activities.

How Agriculture Victoria supports Agricultural and Pastoral Societies

The Victorian Government provides funding to Agricultural and Pastoral Societies to support infrastructure development, business activities, and to celebrate agricultural communities, industry and produce.

It does this through Agricultural and Pastoral Society grants that are administered by Agriculture Victoria, an entity of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).

The Victorian Government made available funding of up to $300,000 for projects supporting upgrades to facilities or the establishment of new facilities and business activities assisting in the planning of agricultural shows and online events.

Projects included initiatives that:

• promote agricultural production
• provide new, improved or upgraded facilities for exhibitions, competitions and displays, such as upgrading fencing and stables, or areas used for shearing demonstrations and wool exhibits and/or judging of commercial and stud animals, and providing opportunities to display arts and craft and artisan produce
• enhance public amenities at showgrounds such as toilets, seating and disabled access
• improve essential infrastructure for electricity and water supply
• enhance business management, planning for shows and marketing strategies targeting the broader community
• promote reporting of livestock movements to the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database, such as the purchase of scanning wands.

When can I apply for an Agricultural and Pastoral Society grant?

The next Agricultural and Pastoral Society grant is expected to open in 2025.

Contact

Email agricultural.grants@agriculture.vic.gov.au for more information about the grant program.