NOMINATIONS for the Ag Town of the Year award are now open, with Light Regional Council Mayor Bill O’Brien confident one of the region’s grain-producing areas can take out the title.
New primary industries minister David Basham, Stuart MP Dan van Holst Pellekaan and Mr O’Brien were in Kapunda last Wednesday to launch this year’s competition, won in 2019 by South-Eastern town Cleve.
The public can nominate their home town for the award, which recognises agriculture innovation woven into the locality.
Mr Basham said this could include townwide farming initiatives or attempts to embed a locality’s agriculture industry into its tourism businesses.
“To me it (innovation) could be absolutely anything,” he said.
“It could be moving to a tourist-agriculture connection or getting agriculture involved in local schools.
“It’s very simple to follow the steps and nominate a town.”
Kapunda was a finalist in the award last year, in what was the celebration of rural South Australia’s debut iteration.
Mr O’Brien was keen to see Kapunda nominated again this year, but said Freeling could also be a chance to take out the award.
“I think Kapunda is a no brainer for this award,” he said. “But I think Freeling as well has an enormous amount going for it.
“This is what this Ag Town award is all about. It’s not just about being a nice town; it’s about what they’ve done to innovate.
“Down there (in Freeling) they’ve done the FARM Centre, Anzac Park and a lot of other smaller things to uplift the town and give it a bit of spirit.”
Residents can nominate their town for the award at https://solsticemedia.com.au/southaustralian-agricultural-town-of-the-yearaward/.
Mr van Holst Pellekaan said locals in his electorate – such as Kapunda – should look to nominate their towns.
“Agriculture is often the lifeblood of our regional communities and it’s fantastic to be able to officially open the 2020 Ag Town of the Year nominations at Kapunda,” he said.
“There are many towns throughout our electorate which have proud agricultural histories and I encourage local residents to put forward nominations.”