Time to honour regional SA

NOMINATIONS have opened for the 2025 Agricultural Town of the Year Award, the prestigious award that recognises South Australian towns that excel in agricultural practices and are also great places to live and work.

It is the title won by Penola last year in an awards scheme now in its seventh year with Millicent having also been a previous finalist.

Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll said. the Ag Town of the Year Awards 2024 were truly a momentous occasion for Penola.

“It has brought together such a wide range of our community — from farmers to schools to local businesses to friends — to showcase our offering. This has not only connected and celebrated our industry contributors, but it has also been an inspiration for many of the town’s young people by sparking their interest in participating and working within the agricultural sector,” Mayor Noll said.

“We are so proud of our Penola community, their pride in its agricultural heritage and what we produce for our local, state and national markets.

“Being involved in this event has emphasised the importance of innovation and education, along with honouring the accomplishments of the community.

“This event will have a lasting impact on the township, those who choose to call Penola home and the growing tourism industry it supports.”

The Ag Town of the Year Award highlights the importance of developing and maintaining a strong and vibrant agricultural sector in South Australia, by recognising towns embracing their farming culture and displaying the foresight, resilience and spirit unique to our rural and regional communities.

South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said she was privileged to be able to regularly travel our great state to see so many of our agricultural towns and regional centres.

“Regional towns are significant to their local communities but also the wider South Australian economy, with farming and agribusiness contributing $18.5 billion to the state’s economy in 2022-23,” Minister Scriven said.

“I also acknowledge the challenges agricultural towns are facing this year with most regions affected by drought.

“The Agricultural Town of the Year Award recognises South Australian towns that excel in agricultural practices and are great places to live and work.

“Now is the time for us to shine a light on our great agricultural towns and I encourage everyone to nominate your town now.”

The winning town will receive town entrance signage recognising their achievement, a certificate and trophy presented by the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, a community event and sign unveiling to celebrate the town’s achievement, and a double-page feature in SALIFE magazine.

Nominations for the 2025 Ag Town of the Year can be made at agtown.com.au until they close on May 21.

Finalists for the Ag Town of Year are anticipated to be announced in August, and the winner will be announced at the South Australian Regional Showcase Awards later this year.

The Agricultural Town of the Year Award is a PIRSA initiative, delivered in partnership with Solstice Media.