The Society aims to promote and support farming and the countryside, rural life and the environment and locally sourced produce and British food. Although the East of England Show remains the Society’s flagship event to promote British agriculture and educate visitors on a range of topics the Society is responsible for organising a wide variety of events and activities throughout the year.

The Society also manages an extensive educational programme under the Marshal Papworth Trust and is proud to co-host and fund the annual keynote Shuttleworth Lecture on issues directly affecting farming.

In an aim to promote further British agriculture and support local producers the Society has developed a local food sourcing policy “Food Direct from the Farm” which succinctly describes the food now used on the Showground; education is also brought to the table, helping to promote the benefits of choosing locally, from health reasons to environmental issues, in particular that of food miles, the distance from farm to fork, the majority of Food Direct from the Farm suppliers fall within a 30 mile radius.

In September 2023, Scholars Programme was launched with a view to support people working within agriculture and the associated industries to attend life changing courses and events.