The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) has announced that after more than 3,000 public votes, five towns across the Mid North, Murray Mallee and Eyre Peninsula have been selected as finalists for the 2021 Agricultural Town of the Year award.
PIRSA said Kapunda, Orroroo, Booleroo Centre, Mypolonga and Kimba were in running for the title after the votes were cast for the 59 nominated towns across the State.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, David Basham said the five finalists represented communities which were home to a diverse range of agriculture.
“The Ag Town of the Year Award recognises the important role our farmers and the agriculture sector plays in everyday lives of regional communities,” Mr Basham said.
“Every town nominated for this award should be immensely proud of what their community has achieved and will continue to achieve in the face of significant challenges, such as COVID-19 restrictions and drought,” he said.
Mr Basham said for next part of the award program, an independent panel of experienced judges would visit the five finalist towns in October.
He said the judging panel would include John Rothwell (Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA); Rob Kerin (Regional Development South Australia); Erika Vickery (South Australian Regional Organisation of Councils); Belinda Cay (AgCommunicators); Nikolai Beilharz (ABC Rural); and Rilka Warbanoff (Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce-SA).
Mr Basham said the winner of the 2021 Agricultural Town of the Year would be announced on Friday 19 November at the Regional Showcase.
More information on the Award finalists can be accessed at this PS News link.
