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Search begins for SA’s 2021 AgTown of the Year

Nominations are now open for the third annual regional award for the state’s best agricultural town to be crowned in November.

Jul 15, 2021, updated Jul 15, 2021
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister David Basham unveiled the 2020 Agricultural Town of Year sign at the entrance of Pinnaroo in May.

Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister David Basham unveiled the 2020 Agricultural Town of Year sign at the entrance of Pinnaroo in May.

The Agricultural Town of the Year award recognises South Australian towns that are excelling in agriculture and the flow-on effect this has on a township and community.

The 2020 winner was the Mallee town of Pinnaroo which was selected from 119 nominations for 70 different towns across eight regions.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham encouraged communities to get involved and nominate their town.

“Our Ag Town of the Year Award acknowledges the vital role that agriculture plays in the regional landscape — being the backbone of most regional communities,” Minister Basham said.

“This award celebrates the key role of primary industries to our state, including field crops, horticulture, meat and livestock, dairy, grape and wine, forestry, plus fisheries and aquaculture.”

However, Minister Basham said the focus of the Ag Town award is not limited to farmers but also highlights the wider community that supports them.

“It gives regional communities the opportunity to reflect on their contributions to South Australia’s economic and social fabric and increase awareness of their town and agricultural contribution,” he said.

“It was my pleasure to visit the 2020 winning town Pinnaroo, in the Murray Mallee, earlier this year and speak with the community there about what drives regional success and pride.”

Anyone can nominate a town by filling out a quick and easy form at www.agtown.com.au, with nominations closing Friday 6 August.

Nominated towns will then be put to a public vote to help select five finalists who will vie for the title of 2021 South Australian Agricultural Town of the Year.

The winner will be announced in November at the 2021 Regional Showcase Awards, the annual celebration of the state’s regions run by Solstice Media, the publisher of InDaily, SALIFE, CityMag and The Lead South Australia.

Solstice Media Editorial Director David Washington said that both the programs are important to InDaily because it helps the newsroom cover important aspects of the state.

“South Australia is so much more than metropolitan Adelaide, and communities beyond the city limits deserve to have their stories told,” he said.

“In fact stories about local communities are an increasingly precious commodity to us – and I know they are to local communities as well.

“A program like the Regional Showcase and AgTown of the Year is important not only so local communities can hear about what’s happening in their own backyard, but also so people in other regions, towns and Adelaide can gain insights into life in every corner of this vast State.”

Minister Basham said the Marshall Liberal Government is a strong advocate of our regional communities, having launched the Regional Development Strategy, a state-first blueprint to drive economic growth in the state’s regions and create jobs across a range of industries.

“Our regions matter – they contribute around $29 billion per year to the South Australian economy across a range of industries including farming, fishing, mining, manufacturing and tourism,” he said.

“This is why our government is investing record amounts in regional South Australia to build key infrastructure, drive economic growth and create jobs.

“We are investing record amounts in regional infrastructure including roads so people can travel faster and safer, hospitals to provide better healthcare, schools to inspire our next generations and community space for people to enjoy.”

It is easy to nominate your favourite town, simply click here.

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