Kelly Johnson wins Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award for 2025
The Murraylands founder of SP Hiker and Woodlane Orchard has snared a new and impressive achievement.
Murraylands entrepreneur Kelly Johnson has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to agriculture in South Australia upon winning this year’s Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award.
Ms Johnson has spent the past six years crusading against food wastage, turning leftover produce into valuable products with her businesses Woodlane Orchard and SP Hiker.
Woodlane came first, taking fruit farmers couldn’t use and dehydrating it for long-lasting snacks, then selling quick and delicious meal kits created using the same method with vegetables.
Then came SP Hiker, which produces long-lasting, eco-conscious meal kits aimed specifically at hikers and cyclists.
In the intervening years she has also opened and – regretfully – closed a cafe in an old church at Mypolonga; shifted her operations from there to Monarto and into Murray Bridge; powered through financial and personal challenges; and been short-listed among SA’s rural women of the year.
Now she can add an Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award to her resume, two months after being named a finalist.
Governor Frances Adamson AC presented the prestigious prize to Ms Johnson at an event at Sky City in Adelaide on Tuesday night.
As winner, she will get $15,000 to put towards her business, and will represent SA at a national gala in Canberra later this year.
State Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven congratulated Ms Johnson on her win.
“Her accomplishments to date and her commitment to sustainability and creating wholesome, environmentally conscious products is inspiring,” she said.
“Kelly’s leadership is opening up new opportunities for South Australian growers while championing responsible consumption.
“Her innovative approach is contributing to both economic resilience and environmental progress across our rural regions.”
Ms Johnson said she hoped her win would encourage more women to back themselves in the world of agribusiness, and to turn their ideas into impactful and profitable realities.
“I want to be a role model, a cheerleader, and a support network for women who dare to dream big,” she said.
“When women thrive in agriculture, entire communities benefit.”
