Nominations open for the 2020 Agricultural Town of the Year Awards
Towns across South Australia have the chance to be celebrated and crowned 2020 South Australian Ag Town of the Year, with nominations for the coveted award open today.
Mayor Phil Cameron (middle) and residents of 2019 Ag Town of the Year winner, Cleve
Now in its second year, the South Australian Agricultural Town of the Year Award recognises South Australian towns excelling in agricultural practices and the flow-on effect they have on communities.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham is encouraging all South Australians and regional communities to get behind the award and nominate a town worthy of being the 2020 recipient.
“The award highlights the vital role agriculture and other primary industries play in supporting not only our economy but our everyday life, which has strongly been shown through COVID-19, drought and bushfires,” he said.
“Following Cleve being named the 2019 Ag Town of the Year, the program has received plenty of interest and I expect there to be strong nominations for this years’ awards.”
Basham said winning the prestigious award is recognition for the important, hard and essential work regional towns and the broader agricultural sector contribute to the state economy.
“Agriculture is the backbone of the state’s economy and we rely on regional communities to continue producing food and beverages day in, day out,” he said.
“Participating in the awards is a great way to thank our regional communities for their contribution to agriculture.
“No matter how big or small, it is important people nominate their regional towns who rely on agriculture and celebrate their successes.”
After winning the inaugural Ag Town of the Year in 2019, Mayor of Cleve Phil Cameron encouraged towns to nominate for the award.
“This award has done wonders to the pride, reputation and respect of the Cleve community and will strengthen it for years to come,” Cameron said.
“I encourage towns to participate and nominate for the 2020 award as it is all about showcasing the character and very substance of your township to the wider community.
“For us, the award came off the back of three consecutive years of drought conditions, which did not dampen the enthusiasm and tenacity of the town and its surrounding community.”
Cleve was selected last year for its response to the drought.
The town helped foster clever on-farm projects to tackle the drought, including water harvesting and new seeding techniques. The townspeople also implemented widespread mental health awareness programs and grew successful agriculture machinery and transport businesses.
The public will then have a chance to vote online for the nominated town they feel best helped grow primary industries and driven regional growth, with the five towns garnering the most votes selected as this year’s finalists.
The Ag Town of the Year Award Program will run alongside Solstice Media’s South Australian Regional Showcase program.
To nominate, visit www.agtown.com.au.
