Popular agricultural education event moves undercover to Toowoomba Showgrounds.
From patting Angora goats and discovering how cotton becomes fibre, to mixing cattle feed, meeting bees and exploring recycling and biosecurity, 640 students and teachers will experience agriculture firsthand when AgForce's popular Moo Baa Munch returns to Toowoomba on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 October 2026.
Delivered through AgForce's School to Industry Partnership Program (SIPP), the two-day event will bring together 17 industry partners to share their knowledge, showcase where our food and fibre comes fr
om, and introduce students to the exciting diversity of careers available across modern agriculture.
Due to forecast wet weather, this year's event has been relocated to the Toowoomba Showgrounds Indoor Arena (Equestrian Pavilion 2), with entry via Gate 4 off Harvey Road.
The new venue will allow the entire event to be held undercover, ensuring a safe, engaging and enjoyable experience for students, teachers and industry partners.
AgForce Director Education and Strategic Programs, Tanya Nagle, said Moo Baa Munch was all about making agriculture real, relevant and exciting for young Queenslanders.
"There's something incredibly powerful about giving students the opportunity to see, touch, taste and experience agriculture for themselves," Ms Nagle said.
"Whether they're learning how cotton is processed, discovering the science behind feeding cattle or understanding why biosecurity and sustainability matter, these experiences create connections that simply can't be replicated in a classroom.
"Having 17 industry partners generously sharing their time, expertise and passion is what makes Moo Baa Munch such a special event."
Among this year's hands-on experiences, students from Oakey State High School will take the lead in introducing younger students to their Angora goats, explaining how the animals produce valuable fibre and giving primary school students the opportunity to interact with the goats.
The Pick of the Crop program will explore the importance of vegetables in a healthy diet, with students getting hands-on in preparing and tasting their own vegetable-based recipes.
Cotton Australia will demonstrate the journey of cotton from paddock to fibre, including a miniature cotton gin that shows students how cotton is processed. Meanwhile, the Australian Lot Feeders' Association will introduce students to the science of livestock nutrition, challenging them to create feed rations for cattle and understand the importance of a balanced diet.
The event will also welcome back the bees, with Peter (Yapunyah Agri Services) travelling from Gympie to share his knowledge and help students discover the important role bees play in agriculture and food production.
Joining Moo Baa Munch for the first time, Toowoomba Regional Council will deliver interactive activities focused on recycling and sustainability. Primary students will test their knowledge through a hands-on recycling sorting relay, while secondary students will tackle the challenge of agricultural waste, exploring creative ways to reduce, reuse and repurpose materials used in farming.
Biosecurity will also be firmly in the spotlight, with fire ant awareness particularly timely following the recent detection of fire ants near Cabarlah, north of Toowoomba. The activity will help students understand the importance of protecting Queensland's agricultural industries, environment and communities from invasive pests.
Ms Nagle said the event was about much more than understanding where food and fibre comes from.
"We want young people to recognise that agriculture is an industry full of opportunities, challenges and innovation. From animal science and nutrition to environmental management, biosecurity and technology, there are so many ways they can be part of agriculture's future," she said.
"By connecting students directly with industry, we're helping build their understanding of agriculture and hopefully inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers, innovators and industry leaders."
Moo Baa Munch has proudly been hosted at Downlands College for more than 15 years, with the College remaining a valued and longstanding partner of AgForce's School to Industry Partnership Program.
"We are incredibly grateful to Downlands College for its ongoing support of Moo Baa Munch and agricultural education over so many years," Ms Nagle said.
"The decision to relocate this year's event was not made lightly, but the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone involved must come first. Moving undercover also helps protect the College's grounds during the anticipated wet weather.
"We're looking forward to another wonderful Moo Baa Munch and to seeing hundreds of young Queenslanders discover just how exciting agriculture can be."
Through SIPP, AgForce works with schools, teachers and agricultural industries across Queensland to strengthen food and fibre literacy, build meaningful connections between education and industry, and inspire the next generation to explore agricultural career pathways.
Event details
Event: Moo Baa Munch 2026
Dates: Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 October 2026
New venue: Toowoomba Showgrounds Indoor Arena - Equestrian Pavilion 2
Entry: Gate 4, Harvey Road, Toowoomba
