The Award winners will be revealed on August 16 at a special event at Parliament House, Canberra. The event will be officially opened by the Honourable Barnaby Joyce MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. 

ABC Rural will also conduct a live, outside broadcast of the national Country Hour radio program from the event, with interviews from some of the 2017 winners. 

This is a significant event for the Australian agricultural industry with tickets still available for the event. Tickets can be purchased online via farmingahead.com.au/farmer-of-the-year/ 

For those who can’t attend, the Kondinin Group team encourage members to tune into their State ABC Country Hour program on the day to hear the exciting announcement.

Members will also be able to read stories on each of the winners in a special feature inside the September edition of Farming Ahead.

The Award categories being honoured are:

• The Australian Farmer of the Year 
• Young Farmer of the Year, sponsored by Case IH
• Farming Legend of the Year 
• Community Leader of the Year, sponsored by Market Check
• Rural Consultant of the Year, sponsored by BASF
• Award for Excellence in Innovation, sponsored by Harvest Tyres
• Award for Excellence in Technology
• Award for Excellence in Diversification

Kondinin Group General Manager, Ben White, said the 2017 Award Winners were stand outs in their categories, and well deserving of the recognition.

“Even in its 8th year, the Awards are still uncovering incredible farmers around the nation,” Ben said. “It never ceases to amaze me what people are doing in rural Australia. The things they are achieving, sometimes in the direst of environments.”

“It is a privilege to be able to share their stories and successes. That is the reason we come back year and after year, and each time we are amazed by the quality of nominations received.”

“And it isn’t about finding the farmer profiting the most from their business. It is about those doing the best with what they have… whatever level that is.”

2016 was the first year that Kondinin Group and ABC Rural chose to host the announcement event at Parliament House in the nation’s capital. The decision was a resounding success.

“Hosting the awards in Canberra provides an opportunity to not only distinctly honour the achievements of the winners, but to provide them with an opportunity to meet with Ministers and Senators, as well as key industry stakeholders,” Ben said.

“For some, it is an opportunity that may not come about in the normal course of business.”

The 2017 Australian Farmer of the Year Awards are proudly supported by platinum sponsor WFI, media partner OUTback Magazine and industry supporter the National Farmers’ Federation; as well as award category sponsors Case IH, Market Check, BASF and Harvest Tyres.

To attend click HERE.