Yankalilla Showgrounds will host the third annual Fleurieu AgFest 2025 next Friday 4 April, with the theme Shaping the Future of Farming.

This free event will bring together local farmers, industry leaders and students for a full day of learning, networking and practical advice. 

It will feature hands-on workshops, expert talks and trade displays, offering information and advice for producers looking to strengthen their business and stay across industry trends.

This year’s event was almost cancelled, with the District Council of Yankalilla withdrawing financial support at its October 2024 meeting due to budget pressure.

A delegation from the Parawa Ag Bureau to the November council meeting convinced the majority of councillors to change their minds and rescind the October decision.

The council resolved to allocate $15,000 to deliver AgFest in 2025 with support from the Parawa Agricultural Bureau, but that future funding would be committed on a sliding scale.

This would be$10,000 for financial year 2025/2026 and $5,000 for financial year 2026/2027, subject to detailed consideration as part of the Annual Budget development process.

Regional Development Australia, Bendigo Bank and Parawa Ag Bureau also sponsor the event.

Organisers says this year’s Ag Fest will showcase cutting-edge products, technology and sustainable practices, with local trade and regional exhibitors who support or are involved in agriculture across the region.

It all starts with a networking breakfast, with speakers on the Regional Drought Resilience Plan; practical strategies for succession planning and growth; and the latest market trends and seasonal outlooks.

The day continues with presentations relevant to today's agriculture businesses and concludes with post-event networking refreshments.

Fleurieu AgFest is free to attend but tickets must be reserved via Eventbrite.