The Royal Welsh Show: facilitating rural buzz

Agricultural shows are significant events for rural communities. Using the case study of the Royal Welsh Show, the largest event of its kind in Europe, this paper argues that agricultural shows can be seen as temporary knowledge clusters. By bringing together key rural actors, agricultural shows create temporary spaces for presentation and interaction between suppliers, producers and consumers, leading to distinct vertical and horizontal forms of knowledge exchange. Discussions take place between farmers, government and suppliers, creating trust and allowing for knowledge exchange to take place. At the same time, farmers can view and compare their stock and farming practices with that of other farmers, sharing best practice and allowing for new ideas to emerge and gain prominence in the agricultural industry. This interaction between different groups at agricultural shows creates a rural buzz, helping to maintain rural relations year round, eventually forming a community of practice.