The Australian National Field Days and other Field Days across the country are seeking $1 million in government assistance to ensure their long-term viability by covering costs brought on by the pandemic.
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Just three out of 20 Field Days are a chance to go ahead in 2020.
ANDF manager Jayne West said she was still holding out hope the field days would go ahead on the Borenore site from October 22-24 pending government advice.
"We're still not too sure if it'll go ahead yet, we'll hold off making a decision until about the second week of August," she said.
The things holding the field days back include funding needed, border closures and - crucially - limits on crowds and social distancing.
"If we don't get funding we might not be able to go ahead," Mrs West said.
The 20 Field Days across Australia are lobbying for $50,000 each in funding, totalling $1 million, which wasn't included as part of the government's $36 million for agricultural shows across the country, which was an omission Ms West called "disappointing".
"We're all non-profits and we're all largely run by volunteers so we'll need that funding to help implement more safety measures," she said.
She and other Field Days managers are still lobbying the government and hoping for some financial assistance, but the bigger factor in whether the ANDF will go ahead is crowd sizes.
"If mass gatherings are allowed is our biggest problem," Mrs West said.
"Implementing social distancing and personal hygiene are things we have to consider."
Border closures may still be a factor for the ANDF, and with nearly 30 per cent of vendors from Victoria that presents another conundrum for Mrs West.
"Obviously we might not want to bring those vendors into our community," she said.
In the event of cancellation, the Field Days will return deposits to vendors and ensure attendance at the 2021 shows.
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