History

In 1831 a group of landowners and progressive farmers met at the White Hart, Wickham Market, to discuss the possibility of holding an agricultural show. The group formed the East Suffolk Agricultural Association and set themselves the task of improving farming techniques in their county by holding an annual show. The first show was held on 21 September 1832 at Wickham Market. West Suffolk started their own show the following year but 20 years later they merged to form the Suffolk Agricultural Association.

The Suffolk Show was staged at different venues round the County but in 1960 moved to its permanent site in Ipswich where it still is today. The Showground covers 100 hectares in total - 40 hectares of which is exhibition area.

The aim of the SAA then, as now, is to promote the advancement of agriculture through the development of skills and techniques or research and the dissemination of knowledge of such skills, techniques and research both as to methods of husbandry and the use of science and the development of agricultural implements and machinery.