Flinders Ranges & Outback

Kimba crowned 2021 agricultural town of the year

Eyre Peninsula farming town, Kimba, has been named South Australia’s 2021 Agricultural Town of the Year on National Ag Day.

Eyre Peninsula farming town, Kimba, has been named South Australia’s 2021 Agricultural Town of the Year at Friday night’s Regional Showcase at the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre on National Ag Day.

Located at the midway point between Australia’s East and West coasts, the vibrant town finished ahead of Booleroo Centre, Kapunda, Mypolonga and Orroroo to take the prize as the state’s premier agriculture town.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham congratulated the Kimba community on the win having been a finalist in 2020.

“Recently I was in Kimba and I really was blown away by the community spirit and the way the farming community works together for the betterment of the small town,” said Minister Basham.

“With a very active agriculture bureau branch combined with a real sense of pride in innovatively finding new ways to attract tourists, it is no surprise the independent judging panel has chosen Kimba as the 2021 Ag Town of the Year winner.

Minister Basham said it was exciting to see small agricultural communities make such a strong showing in these awards.

“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.

Whilst congratulating the four runners up, the Minister thanked the youth of Kimba. 

“A big factor in Kimba’s success this year has been its emphasis on future-readiness and innovation and I heartily congratulate all involved.”

“Kimba has a rich agricultural history being at the forefront of South Australian dryland agriculture and it is a tradition that continues today. This is a town where the younger generation is the driving force behind so many initiatives and spurring on the rest of the community.

Now in its third year, the Ag Town of the Year Award continues to grow in stature. 

“It is pleasing to have thousands of people again engaged in the awards program, supporting their favourite agricultural town.”

South Australia’s primary industries and agribusinesses generated revenue of $14.1 billion in 2019–20, making this sector a critical economic driver for the state. The Ag Town of the Year award recognises towns that demonstrate excellence in agriculture, encouraging growth in primary industry and fostering leadership in this sector.

Member for Flinders Peter Treloar congratulated the Kimba community on winning the Ag Town of the Year Award.

“Kimba is a small but proud community and it’s fantastic to see the town get this sort of recognition,” Mr Treloar said.

“Given all the significant challenges farming communities have faced in recent years such as COVID-19 restrictions and challenging seasonal conditions, Kimba, and the other four finalists should all be immensely proud of their achievements.”

In addition to Ag Town of the Year, six other awards were also presented to a range of regional organisations, businesses and initiatives as part of the 2021 Regional Showcase. The winners were:

  • Regional Resilience Award – Bushfire Kids Connect
  • Business Innovation Award – Nunyara & Yadu Aboriginal Health Services
  • Community Empowerment Award – SA Carp Frenzy
  • Industry Skills Award – Fitzy’s Natives & Horticulture Services
  • Meaningful Connections Award – Steven Toope
  • Lifelong Learning Award – Sadiki Kamundele
  • People’s Choice Award – Steven Childs

For more information on AgTown of the Year Awards click here

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