A Mid North livestock education event secured key funding via a local farming body, strengthening the viability of the event which provides an opportunity for school students to gain hands-on experience.
The Upper North Farming Systems (UNFS) group secured funding through the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) to support the Junior Education Day (JED) at the Jamestown Showgrounds for the next two years.
The funding will help ensure the long-term sustainability of the highly regarded livestock education event, which has grown since its establishment in 2019.
JED provides hands-on sheep and cattle husbandry training for students across regional South Australia and plays an important role in building practical livestock skills and encouraging agricultural career pathways for the next generation of producers.
Participation in the event has grown to more than 200 students in recent years, increasing the administrative workload and reliance on volunteers to coordinate the day.
The Jamestown Show Society is entirely volunteer-run and remains strongly committed to delivering the event, however, the increasing scale and complexity of JED has placed pressure on volunteers.
Under the new funding arrangement, the Jamestown Show Sheep and Wool Committee will continue to provide volunteer support, presenters, and on-ground coordination during the event, while UNFS will
assist with behind-the-scenes administration and event coordination to help reduce volunteer burden and ensure the event can continue to grow sustainably into the future.
JED was developed to mentor and upskill students and teachers in core sheep and cattle husbandry practices, providing practical hands-on training in areas such as commercial ewe hogget classing, wool handling and shearer training. The day also prepares participants for competitions at country shows and the Royal Adelaide Show.
Led by experienced livestock industry professionals, the event delivers industry-aligned learning opportunities that reflect current best practice.
Jamestown Show president Matt Scharkie said he was incredibly grateful for financial support from FRRR as it in turn reduces the costs to families, volunteers and schools who attend given lunch and recess is provided which reduces the financial impact on Mum’s and Dad’s.
“The funding also supports volunteer presenters who travel to Jamestown to deliver educational sessions to students,” he said.
UNFS program manager Rachel Trengove said UNFS was proud to support the long-running initiative and the volunteers behind it.
“UNFS is thrilled to be able to support the Jamestown community volunteers in delivering this well-established and highly regarded event over the next two years,” she said.
“UNFS strives to support the next generation to consider agriculture as a career option, so this aligns strongly with the organisation’s strategic direction.”
The 2026 Junior Education Day will be delivered by the Jamestown Show Sheep and Wool Committee with support from UNFS and the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board.
The event will take place on 29 June at the Jamestown Showgrounds.
