Public voting is now open for this year’s Agricultural Town of the Year campaign, after nominations poured in for 91 unique South Australian towns showcasing the depth, diversity and strength of the state’s regional communities.

With the nomination phase officially complete, the spotlight now shifts to locals, former residents, farming families and regional businesses, who are being encouraged to rally behind the towns they believe best represent South Australia’s agricultural resilience, innovation and community spirit.

An initiative of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), delivered in partnership with InDaily, the awards celebrate the vital role regional communities play in driving the state’s agricultural economy while highlighting the people, industries and local leadership helping those towns thrive.

This year’s list of nominated towns paints a vivid picture of South Australia’s agricultural diversity.

Riverland communities including Berri, Loveday, Loxton, Renmark and Waikerie featured strongly, reflecting the region’s continuing importance in horticulture, wine production and irrigated agriculture. The Limestone Coast also attracted strong support, with Beachport, Bordertown, Keith, Lucindale, Naracoorte, Robe and Willalooka all receiving nominations.

Across the Mid North and Yorke Peninsula, long-established agricultural centres such as Burra, Clare, Jamestown, Kadina, Maitland, Minlaton, Moonta and Port Broughton emerged as popular contenders, while Eyre Peninsula towns including Cleve, Coffin Bay, Cowell, Cummins, Elliston, Kimba, Port Neil and Tumby Bay reinforced the region’s reputation as one of Australia’s key grain-growing areas.

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Barossa and Adelaide Hills communities also featured prominently, with Echunga, Greenock, Kapunda, Macclesfield, Stockwell, Tanunda and Woodside appearing among the nominations.

The breadth of the nominations demonstrates that agricultural excellence in South Australia is no longer defined solely by production figures.

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Increasingly, communities are being recognised for their ability to innovate, diversify and create sustainable regional economies that support agritourism, food production, manufacturing and local employment alongside traditional farming.

For many towns, the awards have become an opportunity to showcase not only agricultural success but also community identity.

Whether it’s a grain-growing hub adapting to changing climate conditions, a wine region building tourism experiences around local produce, or a coastal town supporting aquaculture and seafood industries, the awards highlight the interconnected nature of regional economies.

Importantly, the strong response this year reflects growing recognition of the role regional towns play in South Australia’s broader economic future.

Agriculture remains one of the state’s largest industries, contributing billions of dollars annually to the economy and supporting thousands of jobs across farming, logistics, food processing, exports and agribusiness.

But behind those numbers are communities working hard to remain vibrant and sustainable.

Schools, sporting clubs, volunteer groups, small businesses and local councils all contribute to the success of agricultural towns, and campaigns like Agricultural Town of the Year increasingly acknowledge that regional prosperity depends on far more than crop yields or seasonal conditions.

The range of nominated locations also highlights the changing face of agriculture in South Australia.

Traditional broadacre farming regions sit alongside wine-producing districts, coastal seafood communities and emerging agritourism destinations, reflecting how many towns are expanding their identities beyond a single industry.

Towns such as McLaren Vale, Coonawarra and Clare, for example, are recognised not only for wine production but also for food tourism and hospitality, while places like Coffin Bay and American River showcase the growing significance of aquaculture and premium seafood industries.

Other communities have built reputations around resilience and reinvention.

Towns including Quorn, Peterborough and Orroroo continue to evolve through tourism, renewable energy opportunities and regional entrepreneurship while maintaining deep agricultural roots.

For many South Australians, the awards are also a reminder of the importance of supporting regional communities beyond harvest season.

Regional tourism, local produce, country events and agricultural innovation all contribute to keeping smaller towns economically active year-round. Recognition through initiatives like Agricultural Town of the Year can help drive visitor interest, strengthen local morale and attract future investment.

With nominations now finalised, it’s time for the South Australian public to vote for and support their favourite regional town, with the 10 towns that receive the most votes proceeding to the next phase.

Public voting is open until Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Anyone can vote: you don’t need to live in the town, just love it! Your vote could help that town be selected as one of the Top 10 towns, and have the opportunity to be crowned the 2026 Agricultural Town of the Year.