Kondinin Group general manager of research and editor of Farming Ahead Ben White encourages all members, farmers and farming families to nominate themselves or others doing great work in their local communities.

This year’s categories include:

• Australian Farmer of the Year (35+)
• Young Australian Farmer of the Year (under 35) 
• Farming Legend of the Year
• Rural Community Leader of the Year
• Rural Consultant of the Year 

The editor or Farming Ahead said he hoped the awards this year recognised some unsung heroes in rural communities in the new Rural Community Leader of the Year category.

“The Rural Community Leader of the Year is an individual who goes over and above for the rural community in which they reside,” Mr White said.

“This can be demonstrated by their commitment to community based events or their on-going effort to improve the lives of those in their community,” he said.

Last year’s winner of the Rural Community Leader award Michael Badcock from Tasmania was an outstanding candidate for the award due to his long history championing the horticulture industry.

A current board member of the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, Badcock operates a 350 hectare intensively cropped operation, with cauliflowers, cabbages, carrots, onions, peas, grains and poppies for fresh and processing industries. At 68, Badcock is known as a legend of the horticultural industry, with his innovation, leadership and energy hallmarks of a highly respected figure.

Badcock said he believed agriculture was an ever-changing environment, with his favourite motto being “if you are not changing, you’re going backwards”.