73 Towns Nominated, But Only Three Remain
This year’s Agricultural Town of the Year Award is shaping up to be a real contest, with Burra, Kimba, and Penola in the running for the top spot. With a record-breaking 73 towns nominated, the award highlights the best of South Australia’s agricultural communities, focusing on towns that not only kick goals in farming but also keep their communities thriving.
Burra has been making waves with its broadacre farming, livestock production, and a strong push toward renewable energy. From Princess Royal Station, which processes 85,000 cattle a year, to innovative local businesses like Cousins’ Merino Services and Iris & Wool, Burra’s farming community is showing everyone how it’s done.
Kimba’s got its eye on the future with a community that’s all about sustainable farming. The town’s efforts are paying off too, with Buckleboo Station winning the 2024 Landcare Award for Sustainable Agriculture and local farmers getting recognised on the global stage. Even the Kimba Area School is getting involved, helping to train the next generation of farmers.
Rounding out the top three is Penola, a town that’s not just about great wine from the Coonawarra region but also a diverse agricultural output including dairy, forestry, and agritourism ventures like Warrawindi Farms. The community’s dedication to agriculture shines through in everything from school programs to strategic land use planning.
Minister Clare Scriven gave a shoutout to these towns for their innovation and hard work, saying the award is all about celebrating the heart and soul of South Australia’s regional communities. The next step is a panel of judges visiting these towns in September to see what makes them tick.
