Moo-ving on up with the 2026 South Australian AgriFutures Rural Women's Award winner

Passionate dairy farmer and educator Narelle Zanker has been named South Australia’s winner of the 2026 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award for her outstanding contribution to regional development and rural communities

Ms Zanker is the co-founder of Dairy Adventures, a small family-run farm near Mannum that offers fun, interactive and educational experiences, giving visitors a first-hand understanding of dairy farming and what happens from the paddock right through to the store shelves.

Drawing from her background as a teacher, Ms Zanker established Dairy Adventures two years ago, combining her love for cows and education to deliver hands-on, wholesome experiences that help bridge the gap between city and country.

Her farm welcomes a diverse range of visitors, including schools, community groups, people living with disability, families, and aged care residents, offering practical insights into farm life, food production and sustainable agriculture. She has also established two school-based agriculture programs.

In being named this year’s SA AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner, Ms Zanker has been recognised for her leadership, entrepreneurial approach and commitment to supporting local tourism and community connection through agricultural education.

As the South Australian winner, she will receive a $15,000 grant from Westpac to support her business. She plans to invest this funding into upgraded farm facilities to enhance the visitor experience, improve accessibility, and develop new opportunities to teach people about dairy farming.

Ms Zanker was presented with her award by the Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, at last night’s awards ceremony at SkyCity Adelaide.

She will represent South Australia at the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner and National Announcement in Canberra on 8 September 2026, where the National Winner will receive an additional $20,000 in grant funding and a National Runner-up will receive $15,000.

Ms Zanker was selected from a trio of impressive finalists, including another Mannum-based operator, Kelly Kuhn, who built two thriving, environmentally conscious ventures in the Murraylands: Juggle House Experiences and River Murray Dark Sky Tours.

McLaren Vale-based Hayley Hancock was also named a finalist for her work to revolutionise the way farmers are insured. Ms Hancock co-founded Insurable, which provides a new insurance option for farms of all sizes, protecting against unpredictable natural events.

Toni Duka from Millicent was presented with a certificate recognising the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant she was awarded earlier this year, for the development of a positive‑psychology‑based program to help farmers navigate the transition to retirement – a life stage often marked by identity loss, relationship strain and challenging succession conversations.