It's official - the Eyre Peninsula town of Wudinna is the 2023 Agricultural Town of the Year.
The farming settlement, with a population of around 550 people, beat finalists Bordertown and Eudunda to receive the award at a ceremony at Vale Brewing Restaurant and Bar in McLaren Flat on Thursday 9 November.
The annual award, which is selected following visits by a panel of independent judges, recognises South Australian locations that are excelling in agricultural practices and the flow-on effect this has on communities.
Wudinna celebrates agriculture as an historical and a future strength, with 73.5 per cent of all its exports generated by agriculture and 43.8 per cent of the town’s workforce employed through the sector.
The judges commended Wudinna’s outstanding community engagement, especially with the strong support offered to its youngest members to embrace agriculture through their education.
Wudinna was praised for its ongoing initiative in the areas of research and development with an active cohort of farmer-led grower groups contributing to agricultural research to ensure it remains current and relevant.
The judges recognised the community’s efforts in implementing tourism initiatives while highlighting the importance of agriculture, such as the Australian Farmer Statue, a 70-tonne sculpture which is one of Australia’s Big Things and a permanent legacy to farmers and agriculture in the state.
Wudinna District Council Mayor Eleanor Scholz said the award was “a celebration of commitment and leadership across our agricultural communities”.
“It highlights and values working together across all sectors of agriculture, education, business, and support services, which are driven by our community for our community. This is the core which makes our district a great place to live, work, invest and play,” Ms Scholz said.
A total of 49 nominations were reduced to a top 11 through public voting. The judging panel narrowed the field to the final three towns.
The four previous Agricultural Town of the Year winners have been Cleve (2019), Pinaroo (2020), Kimba (2021) and Mypolonga (2022).
The award is supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions.
Take a closer look at the three finalists, by visiting Agricultural Town of the Year finalists announced.
