San Joaquin County has a rich history in agriculture and youth have been exhibiting their livestock and vocational projects at the county fair for over 150 years. In 2014, declining public attendance and revenue led to the fair closing its doors for the first time since it was established in 1860. In reaction to this unprecedented event, a group of concerned individuals got together to come up with a way to continue providing youth in our county a place to  exhibit and sell their livestock projects and display their vocational projects. Out of these efforts, a non-profit organization called San Joaquin County Junior Show Auction Council was formed. This organization began a new tradition called AgFest, which is held at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds each year. AgFest is led by the San Joaquin County Junior Show and Auction Council and hosted by an all volunteer group who generously donates their time to organize the event and ensure its success. The event is sponsored through the generosity of the many businesses and individuals throughout the county who are passionate about agriculture and support our program. The planning of AgFest is a year-round activity – as soon as one AgFest concludes, the planning for the following year begins.

Since AgFest began in 2014, it has grown in popularity year over year. In addition to the livestock and vocational project competitions, several special contests and activities have been added such as a costume contest, corn hole tournament, hay bucking, and an ice cream social. In addition, AgFest features entertainment such as local bands performing on our AgFest stage, movie nights and a Tractor Pull. We have RV parking for our families that want to stay onsite for the week and several parking options. AgFest also features a scholarship program for outgoing seniors called the Farm to Fork Scholarship. The scholarship funds are largely generated by our Farm to Fork Dinner which is hosted each year and sponsored by local businesses and individuals. We also provide a program called the Ag Education Scholarship program which allows sponsorship of individual exhibitors in their continuing agriculture education and pursuits. At AgFest, everything revolves around our youth and every event planned and decision made is to further the success of the event and of our youth in San Joaquin County.