The first thing that draws people to Crystal Brook is the name of the town itself.

“People love the name Crystal Brook,” says Angela Nayda, a volunteer at the town’s antique store.

“They want to know how the town got its name because they expect crystals.

“But it’s really about the creek when it’s full of water. It looks like diamonds shimmering in the sunlight.”

While visitors may be surprised to find a lack of actual crystal, they’ll be comforted to discover treasured qualities rooted in the town itself.

Settled between the Flinders Ranges and the sea, Crystal Brook predominantly produces grain and has ideal conditions for cropping.

“It’s a different climate here,” says Ben Hook, Manager of rural supply business Platinum Ag Services.

“It’s just so mild and has an amazing climate to be able to grow such good quality wheat, barley and legume crops.”

The people of Crystal Brook make the most of the rich environment, with the town of 1500 people home to more than 48 businesses.

Competition between rival businesses isn’t a problem in the small town, according  to Ben.

“Between the growers and the supply chain within Crystal Brook, everyone’s working together, there’s no doubt about that,” he says.

Grain grower Andrew Sargent agrees and says the competing industries, including two machinery dealerships and two chemical suppliers, only makes the town stronger.

“Serving costumers’ needs comes before competition,” Andrew says.

“If we’ve gone to one retailer and they haven’t got a product, they’ll ring the competitor and say, ‘have you got it?’.

“If they do, it’s ‘yeh no worries’ and they’ll supply it.

“They’ll work together because it’s more about getting it done rather than making a dollar.”

Andrew says it’s this connectedness and care for others that drives the town’s future-thinking attitude, with farmers taking on new practices to improve efficiency.

No-till farming, stubble retention, controlled traffic and precision agriculture are all being implemented, often from locals taking initiative to upskill.

Andrew studied overseas through Australia’s agricultural scholarship organisation Nuffield to learn pioneering global practices and ideas.

He brought the knowledge back home to share with his hometown and implement on his family farm.

Husband and wife duo Michael and Genevieve Wells travelled around Australia researching and networking to take the next step in agriculture industries.

They came back home to Crystal Brook and launched PCT Agservices, which offers data-based solutions and helps growers make sense of their precision data.

“Farming is going to become more global, and I think we’re set up here in Crystal Brook for it,” Genevieve says.

“We’re really well connected with a close network of local agronomists and farm machinery businesses.

“Fortunately for the growers, it’s all in one location. We’re looking to the future together.”

The togetherness stretches beyond the farm gates and to the town centre.

There are 33 active community groups currently operating in the town which has a volunteer rate of 35 per cent, while the national average is 24.8 per cent according to 2021 census data.

Angela from the antique store, Reflections, describes how the shop itself is run by the community and raises funds for community projects.

“With a $50 lifetime membership, members can sell their old items from the store,” she says.

“The store takes 35 per cent of the profits, which are then delegated to say the old folks homes or the hospital or the school.

“People get rid of their clutter, they make a little bit of money, and the town benefits too.”

Crystal Brook provides services and facilities to support people both young and old.

With two community-driven retirement villages, there’s a place for older generations to settle down within the town while maintaining a working relationship with their farm and family, rather than being moved out of Crystal Brook.

The residents are often visited by preschool children who play games and engage in conversation, which welcomes a sharing of knowledge and history to be passed down.

Connections to the past sweep down the town’s centre of Bowman Street which is themed with a dedication to explorers.

There’s a self-guided historical walk celebrating the stories of Bowman Street’s buildings, and profiles of past explorers are emphasised with information plaques.

Angela says the township carries history with them as they step toward the future.

“We maintain a wealth of invaluable knowledge in the community which is there to build on,” she says.

“The services and facilities here support people from the cradle to the grave, and the community cohesiveness and exploring of new tech prepares us for what’s ahead together.”

Crystal Brook is one of five finalists in the Agriculture Town of the Year Award sponsored by PIRSA to recognise South Australian towns that are excelling in agricultural practices and the flow on effect they have on communities. The winner will be announced at Solstice Media’s Regional Showcase Awards at the UKARIA Cultural Centre on Friday 4 November.