It could be time for Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island farmers to shine, with nominations open for the Australian Farmer of the Year awards.

The awards recognise outstanding achievements in Australian agriculture and are open to individuals and families involved in farming enterprises or rural communities. 

The national awards have six categories for nomination:

• Australian Farmer of the Year
• Rural Community Leader of the Year
• Agricultural Student of the Year
• Young Farmer of the Year
• Rural Consultant of the Year
• Excellence in Agricultural Research

The judges also make awards for excellence in Diversification and Sustainability, Innovation and Technology, chosen from nominees in the Farmer and Young Farmer categories.

The closing date for nominations is 28 February. The judges will then compile a shortlist and choose finalists.

The awards will be announced in June at a gala presentation at Parliament House in Canberra, following a leadership workshop for award recipients.

South Australians took out three awards in 2022:

• University of Adelaide student James Easter was awarded Agricultural Student of the Year.
• Dr Kate Gunn took out the award for Excellence in Agricultural Research for her work as a clinical psychologist, leading a team in the Department of Rural Health at the University of SA.
• Bute grain farmer James Venning was awarded for Excellence in Technology.

The Australian Farmer of the Year awards are presented by Kondinin Group and ABC Rural.

Go to the Farmer of the Year website for full details of the awards and to make a nomination.