The new website provides a one-stop shop for information on the awards program, including past winners, and on 25 June it will be the place to visit to nominate yourself, a mate, community leader or rural consultant for the 2018 Awards.

The 2018 FOTY categories include Australian Farmer of the Year, Young Farmer of the Year (<35)

Farming Legend of the Year, Rural Community Leader of the Year, sponsored by Market Check

Rural Consultant of the Year, sponsored by BASF.

Awards for Excellence will be awarded to Australian Farmer of the Year and Young Farmer of the Year finalists. They include Award for Excellence in Innovation, sponsored by Telstra, Award for Excellence in Technology, sponsored by New Holland and the Award for Excellence in Diversification.

Kondinin Group and ABC Rural are searching for outstanding nominations this year; with the support of platinum sponsor WFI, media partner RM WIlliam's OUTback, Award sponsors Market Check, BASF, Telstra and New Holland, and industry supporters the National Farmers' Federation, Goldacres, Blundstone and Agsafe.

Winners of the 2018 Australian Farmer of the Year Awards will be flown to Canberra to attend an exclusive VIP-filled announcement event at Parliament House on 16 October.

In addition to the new www.farmeroftheyear.com.au website, the awards also have new social media pages. You can stay up to date with them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ausfarmerawards and on Twitter at @ausfarmerawards.

More details: www.farmeroftheyear.com.au