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The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW is celebrating 200 years of operations, two centuries of acting as a guardian for agriculture.

Commencing operations on 5th July 1822, in the early days of European settlement, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) was formed at a time when there was an on agriculture and food provision for the new colony. Struggling to adapt to the new environment and the problems they were facing with crops and farming, the settlers banded together to help each other - forming the Agricultural Society of NSW.

The following year the Society held a Show, with livestock and produce categories. It was an opportunity to educate and inform the people of the colony, and to come together to transact business and exchange ideas.

Competitions were held in order to “excite in proprietors an ambition to excel each other”, prizes were offered and judging took place in front of the public.

Two hundred years down the track and the RAS is still organising events and competitions and acting as a guardian for NSW’s agricultural heritage. The RAS celebrates Australia’s achievements in agriculture and works to promote the viability of rural communities by ensuring that Australia remains a thriving and innovative agricultural producer.

From its beginnings two centuries ago, the RAS has expanded the organisation to include not only the annual Sydney Royal Easter Show and premier event venue Sydney Showground, but also the animal registry and recovery agency - the Australasian Animal Registry, RAS EDU which works in tandem with primary and secondary school curriculums to engage and educate the next generation, and the charitable arm of the business, the RAS Foundation - which provides scholarships and grants to regional students and communities.

The education focus has moved beyond the 12 days of the Sydney Royal Easter Show, with the organisation now inviting thousands of school students to take part in a Federal Government-funded initiative known as Farm Days.

Throughout the year students attend the Sydney Showground to see agriculture up-close, from the automatic milking of cows to chicken life cycles and wool microns.

Images: RAS merchandise to mark its bicentenary.

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