History

The Murrumbateman Field Days began in October 1979 in response to the growth of small ‘hobby’ farms around cities and towns in NSW during the 1970s.

Its aim was to showcase the latest in small farm machinery and supplies to this growing and captive audience.

Roger Lund, mechanisation officer from the NSW Department of Agriculture in Yass, introduced the idea formally to the local branch of the Agricultural Bureau and a two-day symposium by the Agricultural Technologists of Australia on small block agriculture formed the core for the 23 exhibitors, who set up around the ground of the Murrumbateman Recreation Reserve in that first year.

With the success of this first venture came the demand for an annual event, with many exhibitors enquiring about sites for the following year. More than 30 sites were booked in 1980, growing to 60 by 1981, over 200 in 1994 and today the event attracts more than 400 exhibitors annually.

The Murrumbateman Field Days receives generous support from a range of corporate sponsors and a huge team of volunteers – who work closely with the a small management team on all aspects of the event, from planning and management of the event, right down to parking, catering and clean-up.

The event is a major fundraiser for the Murrumbateman community – including schools, community groups and sporting associations.

If you have some time you can contribute to the field days, or are a community group looking to participate, please visit our Community page.