Annie Elliott sees her role as an educator - building understanding between city and country about the importance of agriculture.
She has a perfect platform in her job as Agricultural Competitions & Events Coordinator - Beef, Sheep & Dairy for the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria.
Twenty-three-year-old Ms Elliott started her latest job in May and brings to it stints in the bright lights of the city as well as her grass roots upbringing on the farm and in the show ring.
Taking up her role has seen her return to the city lights hoping to educate people on the importance of agriculture as well as organising elite level shows for her country-based clients.
"I was born into the show scene. My family has been showing at Melbourne for 20 years and us kids are fifth generation farmers," she said.
After graduating from school she won a scholarship to attend the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School at Leura, NSW, where she completed a Bachelor of Business in international events management.
"The opportunities that gave me within the course were amazing. I worked in Scotland for six months at Gretna Green doing up to 12 weddings a day.
"I also worked at Emirates resort in the Wolgan Valley, NSW, starting as food and beverage co-ordinator."
After graduating she worked at the Royal Sydney Golf Club as executive assistant.
Ms Elliott said agriculture was always her love and passion.
"It was a perfect role that popped up. To have my passion for ag and experience in events it is the perfect job," she said.
"I remember sitting in the grandstand at 16 and thinking this is what I want to do."
Ms Elliott said it was important to understand that there was more to ag than a farmer sitting on a tractor.
She said her role showed that you could have a business degree but still represent the industry.
It helped to understand what it takes to get an animal into the show ring.
It wasn't until moving to the city that she realised that the connection between city and country was so important.
The show played a critical factor in bridging the gap and educating people from the city about agriculture.
"It's frightening to think that kids think that milk comes from the supermarket. They don't see the work and processes that are needed to get it there," she said.
"It comes back to education and explaining what we do and why we do it.
"It takes people like myself where you taking yourself out of the country to try to bridge that gap."
Ms Elliott said the young generation were the keys to educate them and the show was a wonderful factor to help achieve that.
"We can't just sit back and let it happen. We need to do something about it. I have show full of youth at the moment and that is great to showcase and bring what they can from the country to the city," she said.
"If we educate one person they will share that. Those conversations are important."
Ms Elliott said she was lucky to have a great support network around her in her role.
The committees and industry professionals who had been here made it easier to step into the role.
She said the best part of the job was making sure people left with a smile on their face.
"You've given them the experience you have grown up with is really wonderful," she said.
The show also gave farmers the opportunity to get together and talk about the concerns they were going through - not alone.
It was a great opportunity for their mental health and well being, she said.
Ms Elliott said agriculture gave "so many opportunities".
"I'm excited for the future for me and others that think the same."
Ms Elliott said the small regional shows played an important role.
"Without them we don't succeed. Young people getting involved is the future," she said.
