Drought-hit but resilient as ever, SA’s regional towns deserve recognition. Nominate your favourite for Ag Town of the Year – time’s ticking!
Ever enjoyed some delicious Riverland oranges or a riesling from Clare? How about oysters from Coffin Bay or honey from Kangaroo Island? Or maybe you still remember that small-town hospitality from your summer holiday on the Limestone Coast?
The Agricultural Town of the Year Award, an initiative of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), is your chance to give something back to these hardworking communities.
With South Australia’s regional communities doing it tough in the drought – some facing the lowest rainfall levels on record – now’s your moment to say thanks and help them thrive.
Nominations are open for South Australia’s 2025 Agricultural Town of the Year, and if you’ve got a regional favourite, you’ve got until 21 May to nominate.
Penola’s win: a blueprint for success
Last year’s winner was Penola, a picturesque town nestled in the Limestone Coast’s famous Coonawarra region. Known for a lot more than just great wine, Penola impressed judges with its agricultural diversity and tight-knit community.
From dairy and beef to grains and wine, Penola’s agricultural mix is top-notch.
Cory O’Connor, agricultural teacher at Penola High School, says he sees it all every morning on his drive into work – pine plantations, paddocks full of cows and sheep, and endless vineyards. “It’s a reminder of just how much diverse agriculture we have here, all in one small area,” he says.
Judges particularly loved Penola’s innovation – highlighting how it pivoted from producing hemp seeds to hemp fibre – as well as its strong sense of community spirit.
Planting seeds (literally) for the future
Penola High’s agricultural program is nothing short of legendary. Cory, who built the program from scratch, established a vibrant learning space complete with chickens, turkeys, sheep, cows, fish and even yabbies that help students learn hands-on farming skills.
“The kids love it. It’s about giving them a head start, showing them all the different opportunities of what their futures could look like in agriculture,” Cory says.
Not only do the kids love it, but some who struggle in class find calm and connection in caring for the animals. Cory proudly took students (and some very large steers!) to the Royal Adelaide Show last year, giving them an unforgettable experience.
Winning the Agricultural Town of the Year Award meant a lot to Penola, too.
“It’s amazing to see the spotlight on everything we’re doing here,” Cory says. “It’s about the future we’re building for these kids, the pathways we’re creating for them to see a career in agriculture.”
Why you should nominate your favourite town (ASAP!)
Still wondering whether to nominate? Here’s a quickfire Q&A to get you motivated:
Who exactly can nominate?
Literally anyone. Yes, even city folk. Whether you live in the town, visited once and loved it, or have family ties there – your auntie from the Riverland or your granny from Clare – spread the word and get nominating!
Why does it matter?
Our regional towns have been doing it tough thanks to drought. Winning helps bring recognition, community pride, and some much-deserved love to our rural champions.
What’s in it for the winning town?
- Entrance signage proudly announcing the achievement
- A trophy and community celebration event
- A double-page spread in SALIFE magazine showcasing what makes the town great
Five reasons your favourite town deserves the crown
- Community spirit – Dothey come together like Penola when things get tough?
- Innovation – Are they creatively adapting to challenges?
- Diversity – Are they juggling crops, livestock, forestry, or fishing like pros?
- Education – Are they inspiring the next generation of farmers and leaders?
- Resilience – Have they battled drought, fires, or floods, and come out stronger?
Ready to nominate?
Jump online and fill out the simple nomination form by 21 May 2025 – time’s ticking! After that, the public gets to vote for their favourites, and a judging panel visits the top contenders. The winner is announced at the South Australian Regional Showcase Awards later this year.
This is your chance to put your favourite country spot on the map. So hurry up – nominations close soon, and your favourite town could be the next Penola!
