A public vote decided the finalists from 54 nominated towns, with 4,100 votes received, representing a 35 per cent increase on the 3,200 received votes in 2021.

The five towns in the running to win the 2022 Agricultural Town of the Year award are Orroroo and Crystal Brook in the Yorke and Mid North district, Kapunda in the Barossa, Light and Lower Light district, and Mypolonga and Waikerie in the Murray River and Mallee district.

Crystal Brook and Waikerie are first time finalists, while Orroroo, Mypolonga and Kapunda have made the list for another year.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the towns showcase diverse elements of South Australia’s agricultural landscape.

“I’m pleased to see towns making the finalist list for the second or third time, as well as two new entries,” Minister Scriven said.

“The growth in votes received this year shows the competition is growing in prominence, and that communities are rallying around their favourite agricultural towns to get them well-deserved recognition.”

Minister Scriven said the Agricultural Town of the Year award is an important way to recognise the hard work being done in the regions

“It is a way of giving thanks for everything agriculture and our regions contribute to South Australia, including adding $29 billion to the state’s economy every year,” she said.

Kapunda Mayor Bill O’Brien said it was a great honour to be part of the program for another year.

“It puts a much needed emphasis on the amazing work that is being done in the regions,” he said.

“It is a great opportunity to see how good we are and how we can improve as sometimes we take our towns for granted and not realise how good we are. It’s a fantastic program for the state.”

Pria Martin, from the Mypolonga Progress Association, said the town’s hashtag, #MypoSmallbutMighty, encapsulates how they feel.

“Our community look forward to celebrating the diversity of Mypo. Thank you to everyone who has supported us,” she said.

A panel of independent judges, comprising a mix of ambassadors, well-known identities, and experts from South Australia’s primary industries and regions, will now visit each of the finalist towns for the final stage of the judging process.

The judging panel is made up of Angelo Demasi, Chief Executive Officer, SA Produce Market and South Australian Food, Wine and Agribusiness Ambassador; Simon Maddocks, Chair of Primary Producers SA; Mayor Erika Vickery OAM, Naracoorte Lucindale Council and Chair of the South Australian Regional Organisation of Councils; Kris Lloyd AM, Chief Executive and Head Cheese Maker, Woodside Cheese Wrights and Food, Wine and Agribusiness Ambassador.

The 2022 Agricultural Town of the Year is administered by Solstice Media, the publisher of InDaily. The winning town will be announced on Friday 4 November at Solstice Media’s Regional Showcase celebration.