Nominations are now open for the prestigious South Australian Ag Town of the Year award.

Now in its fifth year, the annual award recognises SA towns that excel in agricultural practices and the flow-on effect on their surrounding communities.

Each year, the Ag Town of the Year award highlights the importance of developing and maintaining a strong and vibrant agriculture sector in South Australia.

It recognises towns that embrace their farming culture and display the foresight, resilience and spirit unique to rural and regional communities.

The winning town will receive town entrance signage recognising their achievement and a certificate and trophy presented by the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development.

There will also be a community event and sign unveiling to celebrate the town's achievement and a double-page feature in SALIFE magazine.

Past winners include 2019 Cleve, 2020 Pinnaroo, 2021 Kimba and 2022 Mypolonga.

Fleurieu ag towns have done well for nominations over the last four years, with several making the top ten, but none have yet taken out the award.

Nominations for the 2023 Ag Town of the Year can be made at agtown.com.au until they close on 5 June.

Nominated towns will then be put to the public vote from 12 to 26 June to help select the top 10 agricultural towns.

Later three finalist towns who will contend for the title of 2023 South Australian Agricultural Town of the Year.

The winner will be announced at the Regional Showcase Awards celebration in November.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven says the award demonstrates the innovation and world-class agricultural practices pioneered and used across South Australia. 

“The award is recognition and an important showcase of South Australia’s regional towns.

“From being a predominantly citrus, stone fruit and milk producing region, last year’s winner, Mypolonga, is now a thriving and diverse agricultural food bowl, growing a vast range of crops and breeding a wide range of livestock.

“South Australia’s regional industries contribute $29 billion to the state’s economy, with agriculture playing a vital role through local employment and business opportunities.

“We strongly believe it’s important to recognise the great resilience, creativity and strength of our regional towns and the award creates a perfect opportunity to do that.”