The search is now on for this year's Agricultural Town (Ag Town) of the Year, with rural communities across the state set to square off for the honour.
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Ag Town of the Year Award, a coveted accolade that recognises South Australian towns which excel in agriculture and are also great places to live and work.
The award celebrates the strength and vitality of the state's agricultural sector, highlighting towns that embrace their farming heritage and demonstrate foresight, resilience, and community spirit.
Now in its eighth year, the award is an initiative of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), delivered in partnership with Solstice Media – owner of respected South Australian publications InDaily SA and SALIFE.
The winning town will receive:
- A certificate and trophy presented by the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development at the awards event
- Town entrance signage recognising the town's remarkable achievement
- A community event and sign unveiling ceremony
- Media exposure, including stories showcasing the achievements of individuals and businesses, as well as video highlights of regional development and agricultural contributions
- A guaranteed double-page feature in the 2027 February edition of SALIFE magazine and coverage by digital news outlet InDaily SA
- Networking opportunities throughout the program and at the awards night.
Last year's Ag Town of the Year was the Southern Mallee town of Lameroo, a community that openly and proudly celebrates its agricultural identity. It was recognised for its excellence in agriculture, regional development, and strong community collaboration. Lameroo was selected from a record-breaking 96 nominations across South Australia.
Previous Ag Towns of the Year include Penola (2024), Wudinna (2023), Mypolonga (2022), Kimba (2021), Pinnaroo (2020) and Cleve (2019).
Nominations for the 2026 Ag Town of the Year Award can be submitted via agtown.com.au and are open until 6 May 2026. Anyone can make a nomination.
Finalists will be announced in August and the winner will be revealed at the 2026 South Australian Regional Showcase Awards later this year.
As put by Clare Scriven
South Australia is home to so many agricultural communities that are worthy of being celebrated for the contributions they make to our primary industries sectors.
Every year the Ag Town of the Year Award shines a spotlight on country communities, highlighting their agricultural output, community spirit and why they're great places to work in or call home.
The award offers a valuable opportunity to showcase the incredible contributions our rural and regional towns make, not only to our state's economy, but also to our national food security. I encourage everyone to nominate their favourite town.
At a time when our farmers and regional communities continue to face significant domestic and global challenges, this award can help bring people together and ensure their stories are seen, celebrated, and widely shared.
Our regional towns deserve to be recognised for their hard work, resilience, innovation, and unique community spirits that make them agricultural powerhouses and outstanding places to live and work.
As put by InDaily SA editor Belinda Willis
News is often focused on our city dwellers in South Australia but there are a multitude of inspiring stories to uncover in our regional towns.
The state's economy is heavily reliant on what our regions grow from the mainstays of wheat, wine, beef, wool or seafood to more niche products like our top-quality cheeses, honey or native flowers.
The Ag Town of the Year Awards reveal the successes among many of those industries but also the resilient and inspiring communities helping them thrive.
This is an incredibly important award program that celebrates the richness of regional life and the determination, creativity, and achievements of our regional South Australians.
As put by Southern Mallee Mayor Ron Valentine
Rural towns like Lameroo face real challenges. Being named South Australia's 2025 Ag Town of the Year proves our resilience, renews community confidence, and shows newcomers Lameroo is a thriving, supportive community with opportunity, pride, and momentum.
Seeing the whole community come together through the process – the pride, engagement, and ongoing support for one another turns this award into a living promise and a win for all.
