Power 20 list: South Australia’s top influential people in the regions ranked

Agriculture is the backbone of the economy and these are the South Australians responsible for putting food and wine on your table. See the 2024 power rankings.

Some of SA's most powerful people in the regions. Pictures: File

There is always a tendency to overlook or underplay the importance of agriculture to the South Australian economy and broader society.

Other industries come along and are promoted and celebrated as the answer to the state’s economic future.

And while it is beyond question that defence, energy, mining and new technologies will all play vital roles in building a more prosperous SA, agriculture will remain the backbone of the state’s economy.

This is also a fascinating list because it contains names that cover most of South Australia’s history.

EXPLORE THE REGIONALS POWER 20 INTERACTIVE AND RATE THE LIST BELOW

Darren Thomas of Thomas Foods. Picture: Tom Roschi Photography

Owners of The Prairie Hotel Jane and Ross Fargher. Picture: Morgan Sette

Families such as the McBrides and Michells, the Hill-Smiths and MacLachlans trace their roots back to the earliest days of the state.

But then there are the businesses built by migrants to SA such as Hagen Stehr and Sam Sarin. And entrepreneurs who have come humble beginnings to build global businesses such as wine tycoon Warren Randall.

Some are enormous landowners with cattle stations bigger than Tasmania. While, the Thomas family has built a global food empire from Murray Bridge.

This list is the ninth instalment in the countdown to The Advertiser’s annual power rankings with SA’s 100 most influential people of 2024 to be revealed later this month.

In the lead up, The Advertiser has ranked the state’s most powerful people across different industries with our interstate and overseas expats yet to come.

See the top 20 regional rankings and have your say below.