Perpetual Award

2026 Ag Excellence Perpetual Award for Outstanding Service - Nominations OPEN NOW

Recognise the people shaping the future of regional agriculture! The Ag Excellence Perpetual Award for Outstanding Service celebrates individuals who have made a lasting contribution to sustainable agriculture and the strength of South Australia’s grower group network. This award provides an opportunity to acknowledge those who generously give their time, leadership, knowledge and passion to support growers and regional communities. Nominees may include farmers, consultants, researchers, industry representatives or community leaders who have played a significant role in helping grower groups and agricultural communities thrive. APPLICATIONS CLOSE THURSDAY 23 JULY 2026.

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Ag Excellence Perpetual Award State Register

for outstanding contribution to sustainable agriculture

2024 Award Winner - Jeanette Long

Jeanette Long was recognised as the winner of the Ag Excellence Perpetual Award for Outstanding Service to Agriculture. Revered amongst her industry peers, Jeanette is highly regarded as a significant contributor to a myriad of agricultural organisations including the Australasian Pacific Extension Network, Ag Excellence and most recently Women together Learning (WoTL).

Kim Blenkiron, WoTL Executive Officer and nominator, said “Jeanette has impacted and positively influenced so many extension organisations and programs over her career that the flow-on-impact to the farming community cannot be overstated”.

As a highly sought after facilitator, Jeanette works throughout Australia and New Zealand with extension personnel and farmers. She also provides mentoring support to many young extension professionals, ensuring South Australia continues to have highly-skilled people within the agricultural research and extension space.

“It is an absolute honour to bestow this accolade on such a deserving winner. Ag Ex has been the recipient of Jeanette’s tireless efforts as Chair and committee member for many years and as shown again at today’s forum, she continues to give her time for the benefit of this room and the broader agricultural industry”, said Leet Wilksch, Ag Ex Chair.

2022 Award Winner - Tanja Morgan

Tanja has been extremely innovative in adopting fresh approaches to communicating and extending information to farmers and the wider rural community through her use of various innovative communication platforms, particularly digital media, in the wide range of projects delivered by Mallee Sustainable Farming.

She continued to excel and amplify the MSF brand throughout COVID and beyond. These initiatives have supported other farming systems groups across SA, where Tanja continues to actively serve as a friend and mentor to the wider Ag Excellence Alliance family.

2021 Award Winner - Lyn Dohle

Lyn Dohle has been living on Kangaroo Island for just over 30 years. Since the day she arrived she has not stopped working for our community. Some of us get tired just watching her.

She uses her technical skills and knowledge to the advantage of everybody in the agriculture sector.

Her contribution to the agricultural sector is immeasurable. She doesn't just participate, she leads, one key result is the organisation that is AgKI. She brought together multiple groups and sectors of the agriculture industry, forming them into a single united voice for the primary producers of Kangaroo Island.

Lyn has helped to create and support many profitable and sustainable agricultural enterprises.

2020 - Event Cancelled

2019 Award Winner - Michael Richards

Michael has made a substantial and long-lasting contribution to sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources within our State. Some of these achievements have included being instrumental in the formation of the Yorke Peninsula Alkaline Soils Group in the early 1990’s. This group went on to pioneer the development of the farming systems group model in South Australia. Michael also played a major role in the development of Ag Ex with the aim to support the burgeoning farming systems group network.

2018 Award Winner - Ruth Sommerville

In just 10 years of being in SA, Ruth Sommerville has made a substantial and long-lasting contribution to sustainable Agriculture within the state. Her professional expertise combined with hard work and passion for her industry has resulted in outstanding achievements, particularly for the UNFS, but also for other communities within the Mid and Upper North.

Ruth has instigated, sourced funds and lead many projects that have greatly benefit the communities within these regions economically, environmentally and socially. The Upper North Farming Systems are very proud to have the opportunity to nominate Ruth for this prestigious award from Ag Ex.

2017 Award Winner - Bruce Heddle

Bruce Heddle farms with his wife and daughters near Minnipa on the Upper Eyre Peninsula. He has been an active and passionate member of the Upper Eyre Peninsula community for nearly 3 decades.

His official (and always voluntary) positions include the Minnipa Research Centre Foundation, founding and long serving member of the EPARF Board, member of the Minnipa Farm Management committee, member of the SARDI/EPARF Project Research and Review committee, member of the GRDC Profit/Risk committee, member of the GRDC Regional Cropping Solutions Network for the Low Rainfall Region.

He is regularly called on by industry participants for his opinion on topical or emerging issues, and still helps shape the direction of research and extension activities.

Mark Stanley, Jeanette Long & Leet Wilksch

Leet Wilksch & Tanja Morgan

Lyn Dohle & Leet Wilksch

Michael Richards & Leet Wilksch

Trent Potter, Ruth Sommerville & Mark Stanley

Jeanett Long, Bruce Heddle & Trent Potter