Top five finalists announced
The top five Agricultural Town of the Year 2022 finalists have been revealed, all representing different aspects of agriculture which support their local economy and community to thrive.
2022 Finalists
Crystal Brook
Crystal Brook has been the Southern Flinders Ranges agricultural hub for generations. The town fosters a culture of productivity, with successful agriculture and related business startups flourishing. These include Perry’s Fuel, Kerin’s Chemical Agencies, Wardle Co, and Rocky River Ag. These businesses, with offices throughout the Mid North have helped to drive regional development, bringing jobs to the area while still remaining locally owned.
Kapunda
Kapunda is a producer of cereal crops, mainly wheat, barley and oats. Value-added services carried out by local industry include stock feed milling and hay processing. Kapunda is a contributor to the wine-growing industry centred in the nearby Barossa Valley. The town Kapunda proudly avoided a substantial rate increase for their farming community during the primary production properties land revaluation within the Council.
Mypolonga
The Mypolonga community has proven resilient in successfully adapting to drought, frost and COVID-19 restrictions, maintaining their market share and energy to explore new avenues. The community has evolved from a traditional orchard and dairy-farming soldier’s settlement into a boutique market town with an online presence. Mypolonga’s local primary school plays an educative role in business operations, running a local shop within the school.
Orroroo
Orroroo is the service centre for the farming district which supports present day cereal cropping and pastoral pursuits. The Orroroo district has recently experienced one of the most severe droughts in history. As a region founded on agriculture, the impacts of drought are far reaching, and recovery is still a way off for some.
Waikerie
Waikerie is located 170km NE of Adelaide and is known as the Gateway to the Riverland. The lush green orchards and vineyards interspersed with dry land farming is a fantastic sight as you travel the highway.The Waikerie district consists of agricultural, horticultural and viticultural developments and has a large number of commodity processing plants.
About the program
Introduced as a new award in 2019, the Agricultural Town of the Year award recognises South Australian towns that are excelling in agricultural practices and the flow on effect they have on communities.
The Agricultural Town of the Year Award, proudly presented by the Government of South Australia and Solstice Media, highlights the vital role that agriculture plays in the regional landscape – being the backbone of most regional communities.
The program endeavours to provide an avenue where communities can learn from one another which will play a role in building capacity and increasing growth in regional South Australia.
2021 AgTown of the Year winner
Kimba
One of Kimba’s strongest points is its active agricultural research groups, but this little town of 629 people is easily recognised by its painted silo display and 8-metre galah statue, marking the midpoint between the Eastern and Western Australian coasts.
Keep up to date with the latest regional news and event updates by subscribing to InDaily below.