Search starts for SA’s top agricultural town
Rural communities across the state are set to square off for the title of South Australia’s top agricultural town, with nominations now open for the 2026 Ag Town of the Year Award.
A coveted title recognising South Australian towns excelling in agriculture and lifestyle is up for grabs, with nominations today opening for the 2026 Ag Town of the Year Award.
Last year, the Southern Mallee town of Lameroo won the award in recognition of its proud agricultural identity, regional development nous and strong community. It won the top gong over a record-breaking crop of 96 nominees.
Now in its eighth year, the award is an initiative of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) and is delivered in partnership with Solstice Media – the publisher of InDaily.
Previous Ag Towns include Penola (2024), Wudinna (2023), Mypolonga (2022), Kimba (2021), Pinnaroo (2020) and Cleve (2019).
Southern Mallee Mayor Ron Valentine said Lameroo being named the 2026 Ag Town of the Year proved “our resilience, renews community confidence and shows newcomers Lameroo is a thriving, supportive community with opportunity, pride and momentum”.
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Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the initiative “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.”
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Scriven said the initiative was particularly important now, “at a time when our farmers and regional communities continue to face significant domestic and global challenges”.
“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,” she said.
The winning town will receive a certificate and trophy, town entrance signage marking the town’s achievement, a community event, media exposure, including a feature in SALIFE magazine and coverage in InDaily.
InDaily editor Belinda Willis said the award “celebrates the richness of regional life and the determination, creativity and achievements of our regional South Australians”.
“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,” Willis said.
“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.”
Nominations for the 2026 Ag Town of the Year Award can be submitted via agtown.com.au and are open until May 6, 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.
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