From innovation and resilience to strong schools and community spirit, South Australia’s agricultural towns are far more than dots on a map – they are the beating heart of the state’s economy, identity and future.

Now, South Australians across the state are being encouraged to vote for the 2026 Agricultural Town of the Year Awards – an initiative of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) delivered in partnership with InDaily that celebrates the towns that best showcase the strength, diversity and innovation of regional South Australia.

For long-time judge and cheesemaker Kris Lloyd AM, the awards are about recognising the people and industries shaping regional communities every day.

“Agriculture has always been incredibly important to me, not only through my own work in regional business and food production but because I genuinely believe strong agricultural communities are the backbone of South Australia,” Lloyd says.

“I was drawn to the program because it celebrates the people, innovation and resilience behind regional towns and gives them the recognition they deserve.”

The annual awards shine a spotlight on communities where agriculture is not only an economic driver but deeply woven into the identity and future of the town itself. From farming and viticulture to education, sustainability and innovation, judges say the strongest nominations show how agriculture influences every aspect of community life.

Independent chair of Primary Producers South Australia and fellow judge, Professor Simon Maddocks, says the program highlights the critical relationship between agriculture and thriving regional communities.

“We need critical services to be maintained in regional townships, which means we need people to see a value in living there and providing service industry skills and community engagement,” Maddocks says.

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“Ag Town celebrates this importance of agriculture in contributing to the growth and development of thriving regional townships and the pride and acknowledgement communities have in this connection.”

This year Joyce Ceravolo, deputy chair of Fruit Producers SA, is joining the judging panel. Ceravolo, a fourth-generation producer with a passion for food, beverage and sustainability in food production and horticulture, is also a passionate advocate for women’s diversity and inclusivity in positions of leadership, particularly in the agricultural sector.

While every town has its own story, judges say there are common themes that separate strong contenders from the pack.

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“For me, one of the biggest things is the demonstration of genuine agricultural connection and impact,” Lloyd says. “A town needs to clearly show how agriculture drives and shapes the community.”

Innovation, leadership and long-term thinking are all highly regarded, but both judges say community involvement and authenticity are equally important.

“We are looking for submissions that try to give you a sense of the passion and vitality in a town and its community,” Maddocks says.

That passion becomes even more evident once judges visit the finalist towns.

“The town visits really bring the submissions to life,” Lloyd says. “I look for authenticity and community connection, whether agriculture is genuinely embedded in the town’s culture, businesses, schools and future planning.”

For Lloyd, one of the clearest signs of a strong agricultural community is its investment in young people and education.

“I’m particularly interested in seeing strong agricultural school programs and youth engagement initiatives,” she says.

“I want to see communities helping young people understand that agriculture is far more than someone driving a tractor. Modern agriculture is science, innovation, risk management, sustainability, tradition, generational knowledge and, in many ways, intuition developed over years of experience.”

Maddocks agrees, saying some of his favourite moments as a judge come from visiting schools and speaking with students about their aspirations.

“As a professional educator for much of my working life, I love visiting schools and learning how agriculture is being weaved into educational opportunities for children,” he says.

“We need them all, and their towns and communities need them too.”

The judges also say the process itself can be transformative for communities, regardless of whether they take home the title.

“A consistent message back from towns that we do get to visit is that, win or not, the process they go through in writing up their submission is probably the most valuable exercise they get out of the whole process,” Maddocks says.

“Many have relayed that the process has really helped them think about what they should focus on as a community going forward.”

After several challenging years for agriculture across South Australia, both judges are excited to see how communities continue to adapt, innovate and support one another.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how towns continue to evolve, particularly around sustainability, education and attracting younger generations into agriculture,” Lloyd says. “Every year the standard becomes stronger.”

For Maddocks, the awards are a reminder of the determination and optimism that define regional South Australia.

“I always look forward to the opportunity to get out around the state, visit places where good things are happening, even in the midst of challenges,” he says.

“I always come home feeling somewhat inadequate!”

With voting about to close, the message from judges is simple: if your town is proud of its agricultural roots, community spirit and vision for the future, now is the time to share its story.

Because being a great agricultural town is about much more than what is grown in the paddock – it’s about the people, ideas and connections helping regional communities thrive for generations to come.

Voting closes on Wednesday, June 3. This year, with 91 unique towns nominated, every vote counts. Your vote could make all the difference to your town (or neighbouring town) being selected as one of the Top 10 towns and having the opportunity to be crowned this year’s Agricultural Town of the Year!