This year, nominations are open until 24 May 2020. Farmers wanting to nominate, or nominate someone else, can simply go online to the website www.farmeroftheyear.com.au where they will find all the information needed.

Nomination is a simple process. On the dedicated website, a number of categories can be selected to include farmers and those that provide support to farming.

Award categories include Australian Farmer of the Year, Young Farmer of the Year, sponsored by McDonald's Australia and Farming Legend of the Year.

Ben White, general manager of Research at Kondinin Group, said that while the past 12-months have been a challenge for some farming communities, the Awards offer an opportunity to acknowledge the resilient and enduring spirit of rural and regional Australia.

"Farming is an industry full of highs and lows," White said.

"It is the never-give-up attitude, the striving for the best outcome we can achieve, that keeps us pushing on and focused on the future."

This was clearly demonstrated by the 2019 winners Sue and Gerard Daly, who operate an innovative and successful farming model, despite having been impacted at the beginning of 2013 by the Dunalley Bushfires.

The Tasmanian potato farmers were also the recipients of the 2019 Award for Excellence in Innovation.

"The Daly's won the 2019 Australian Farmers of the Year because of their focus on sustainable farming and their family's innovative approach to reducing food waste," White said.

"They are an inspiration and are a shining example of that incredible resilient attitude we want to celebrate through the Awards."

The 2020 Awards are supported by Platinum Sponsor WFI, a company that has stood behind rural and regional Australia for more than 100 years.

WFI executive manager Andrew Beer, said that as an insurer of many farms across the country, WFI is proud to support the Australian Farmer of the Year Awards and continue to be part of the farming community.

"We have strong relationships with our customers and we're proud that we've been able to offer face-to-face service to Australian farmers for more than 100 years."

The Kondinin Group and ABC Rural 2020 Australian Farmer of the Year Awards are supported by Platinum Sponsors WFI; Award Sponsors McDonald's, Corteva, AgriFutures, Telstra and New Holland; Leadership Program supporter the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources; Media Partner RM William's OUTback; and Industry supporters the National Farmers' Federation, AgSafe, Goldacres and Blundstone.