Over 50 towns across the state have been nominated in the annual award, which is in its fourth year, and now anyone can vote for their favourite town from the list.

Voting is open until Monday 25 July at www.AgTown.com.au to determine the five finalist towns to be announced in early August.

The finalists will then go through an independent judging process to determine which will be named 2022 Ag Town of the Year.

Finalist towns have promotional videos and stories produced for them by Solstice Media, the publisher of InDaily, and the winning town receives a sign for the town entrance recognising their achievement, a community celebration event, and a feature in SALIFE magazine.

The Agricultural Town of the Year Award runs alongside InDaily’s regional news program and the 2022 winner will be announced at its Regional Showcase Awards in November.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven said the award recognises towns excelling in agricultural practices and the flow on effect this has on communities.

“The Agricultural Town of the Year Award showcases the innovation of our regions and acknowledges the tremendous difference they make to our state,” Minister Scriven said.

“All South Australians benefit from our strong agricultural sector and regional communities. I encourage everyone who values our regions to get online, show your support and vote for your favourite town.

“I offer my congratulations to the towns nominated, and thank all those people who took the time to enter their favourite towns and highlight the value their communities bring to our state.”

Minister Scriven said it was important to recognised that regional communities are the backbone of South Australia and the economic powerhouse driving prosperity for the state.

“Industries in our regions contribute $29 billion to the state’s economy each year. Following the challenges of recent years, it’s never been more important to celebrate this contribution,” she said.

Kimba was the 2021 winner and Kimba Mayor, Dean Johnson said he was “super proud of our amazing community and how innovation is embraced and explored”.

“Visitors say they can feel the vibrancy and positivity of our community and I agree, it’s truly palpable,” Mayor Johnson said.

“We’re a community that’s taken charge of its own future and this award helps us recognise what we’ve done, but also spurs us to go even further and continue building a positive future that we can share with visitors every day.”