The 2009 Australian Vegetable Industry Awards, proudly brought to you by AUSVEG, highlight the achievements of the great people within our industry.
Below are the Australian Vegetable Industry Awards Finalists for 2009.
Landini Grower of the Year
Sponsored by Landini
The Landini Grower of the Year award recognises outstanding practices across many aspects of vegetable production, including growing, environmental management, staff management and product quality.
Lisa Crooks
Parsley and radish grower Lisa Crooks encourages the concept of community. For nearly two decades, she and her husband Ray have farmed in Queensland’s Chambers Flat, where Lisa helps ensure neighbouring growers comply with environmental practices for sustainable production.
As someone who uses best practice on-farm, Lisa has organised workshops for local growers to learn about their roles and responsibilities. This has been in response to encroaching urban sprawl and unsubstantiated complaints from residents, which led to the threat of legislation being introduced that would render market garden activity in the area illegal.
Lisa continues to help the industry by informing local councillors about existing regulations and legislation, and her involvement in the Production Advisory Group, as part of the National Vegetable Levy fund-allocation process.
Tom Schreurs
Tom Schreurs is a director of J. & J.M. Schreurs & Sons, a Victorian business that farms 625 acres, producing celery, spinach, leeks and salad mix.
Tom has been a steadfast contributor to the industry with his participation as an executive member of VGA, as a consultative committee member for the Koo Wee Rup water-supply protection area, and as a grower representative with the vegetable integrated pest management (IPM) working group.
Tom lobbied hard for the recycled class A water for growers and horticulturalists in and around the Cranbourne area over many years prior to its connection.
For the past 30 years, Tom has been developing and improving celery seed varieties. His work has gained recognition overseas where the seed is in high demand.
Kim Vincent
Having been in the vegetable industry for only eight years hasn’t stopped Kim Vincent from making her mark. The Founding President of the Hydroponics Association of the Mid North Coast now grows on 40 acres of land, along with 5,000 square metres of hydroponic cultivation.
In addition to being a member of the Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (IAC), which makes recommendations to the HAL Board about investment of National Vegetable Levy funds, Kim has also been proactive in promoting local produce in the Coffs Harbour region, where her property is located.
Kim has opened a retail outlet that sells only local produce, which gives primary producers in the area another avenue for reaching consumers.
Landmark Young Grower of the Year
Sponsored by Landmark
The Landmark Young Grower of the Year Award recognises a vegetable grower under the age of 35 who has shown excellent business acumen and innovation in his/her chosen area of vegetable production. Short-listed finalists have shown a high level of initiative in their approach to business and are recognised for their commitment to industry.
Nathan Clackson
The increase in Australia’s Asian vegetable production in recent years is due in no small part to the efforts of Nathan Clackson, who in 2007 converted a weed-infested, former grape-tomato farm in Peats Ridge, News South Wales, into an 11-acre NFT hydroponic facility that now employs more than 20 staff and produces between 60,000 and 85,000 bunches of Asian vegetables per week.
Nathan designed and built the operation, and is currently in the process of producing his own seedlings.
In addition to attending and presenting at domestic and international conferences, Nathan has attended field days, participated in the 2009 Brassica Think Tank in Adelaide, and is also a member of the Central Coast Plateau Chamber of Commerce.
Tim Harslett
Fourth-generation grower Tim Harslett returned to the farm he grew up on in Stanthorpe, Queensland, after completing his Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of Queensland. Summer months see up to 50 people employed on the 500-acre property, farming celery, Chinese cabbage and mini Cos lettuce.
Tim is now a part-owner of the family business, where he’s worked full-time for almost seven years.
Last year, Tim was awarded a Nuffield Farming Scholarship, which saw him spend 20 weeks travelling the world to investigate mechanisation in the vegetable industry and alternative methods of weed and disease control. Of the 2008 Nuffield Scholars, Tim was chosen to attend the Duchy College “Challenge of Rural Leadership Course” held in England in late-2007.
Angela Lamattina
Angelo Lamattina is a third-generation grower who is a director and Manager Farm Operations of A & G Lamattina & Sons, in Boneo, Victoria.
With a workforce of twelve, the business farms 115 acres producing parsnips, English and baby spinach, leeks, wild rocket and salad mix.
For the past 18 years, Angelo has developed skills and experience in not only farm operations but also the handling and direction of staff, both on-farm and in the packing and distribution facility.
Angelo has played a leading role in the development of the family business, furthering his knowledge with a vegetable-growing apprenticeship and by attending numerous training workshops.
Syngenta Researcher of the Year
Sponsored by Syngenta
The Syngenta Researcher of the Year Award acknowledges scientists with extensive portfolios in research and development (R&D), their dedication to promoting knowledge and understanding in the vegetable industry, and their contribution to the international status of Australian science. Short-listed finalists have a demonstrated track record of research or extension work that has contributed to long-term industry benefit.
Dr Nigel Crump
Plant Pathologist Dr Nigel Crump has a large and successful record of research projects. Integration of project outcomes by the grower community has been similarly successful. Nigel’s track record is testament to his dogged determination to make a difference to the vegetable industry.
A passion for communicating the benefits of R&D in optimising crop performance is evident in the extensive papers Nigel has written, and the number of industry conferences, national and international tours, discussion groups, and expos in which he participates and initiates.
His extensive network of contacts across all levels of industry in Australia and overseas are indicative of his enthusiasm for his work and of his ambassadorship of Australian science globally.
Dr Paul Horne
Dr Paul Horne is an entomologist who has, the past 13 years, been owner and director of IPM Technologies Pty Ltd.
He has been involved with the development and implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) in a wide range of crops and has specialised in helping growers adopt IPM on-farm. He has conducted research on how to use biological control agents, cultural methods and selective pesticides, and has demonstrated best practice for IPM to growers and other interested parties.
Paul has written four books about insects and published more than 70 scientific and conference papers, as well as many other articles in industry literature. He is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at La Trobe University.
Dr Ian Porter
With more than 28 years experience working in the vegetable industry, Dr Ian Porter has received international recognition for his research on the development of novel IPM methods to control soilborne plant pathogens.
He and his team have conducted more than 25 research programs throughout the industry, have attracted over $20 million of stakeholder funds, and, most importantly, their work has been widely adopted by industry, preventing huge losses to disease estimated at around $40 million per year.
Ian’s team’s research on the phase out of methyl bromide earned the Australian vegetable industry huge international recognition, culminating in a prestigious international award in 2007 from the United States Environmental Protection Association (USEPA) for their efforts to decrease the use of this ozone-depleting substance.
Brisbane Produce Market Innovative Marketing Award
Sponsored by Brisbane Produce Market
The Brisbane Produce Market Innovative Marketing Award recognises individuals or businesses who, in the past three years, have created new market opportunities for vegetables or vegetable products through innovative marketing concepts. Short-listed finalists have challenged traditional perceptions of marketing and had a significant impact on the broader industry.
Houston’s Farm
As a vertically-integrated business situated in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley, Houston’s Farm has four properties and an on-farm processing plant, where leafy salad greens are triple washed and packed.
As local pioneers of pre-washed and packed salads more than 20 years ago, the company captured the attention of mainland buyers. It now supplies both Coles and Woolworths nationally (except Western Australia) and is known for the quality of its produce.
Early on, CEO Anthony Houston recognised the importance of innovation. In 2007, Houston’s Farm was awarded a $100,000 bursary from Woolworths to help develop a blueprint for analysing the carbon footprint of fresh produce grown in Australia.
Ladybird Organics
Ladybird Organics’ innovative contribution to the industry has been the development of a biodegradable plastic made from corn resin that contains all the positives of conventional plastic, and increases product life by approximately 30 per cent.
Made from poly lactic acid and known as “PLA”, the plastic is used to package Ladybird’s salads, which has expanded the organic market by achieving 2 million sales per annum—in only 18 months since its launch. A key achievement has been accessing major supermarkets.
Both the produce industry and other non-competing industries have begun to investigate biodegradable packaging as a result of PLA. In addition, Ladybird Organics has been asked to participate in seminars and training DVDs about biodegradable packaging.
Web: [ www.ladybirdorganics.com.au ]
AUSVEG Industry Recognition Award
Sponsored by Ausveg Ltd
The AUSVEG Industry Recognition Award celebrates consistent individual contributions and commitment to the greater good of the industry, at a local, state or national level. Short-listed finalists are leaders in their respective fields and proactive in advancing the industry.
Peter Dal Santo
After graduating with an agricultural science degree in 1982, Peter Dal Santo began working in pest management for the agrichemical industry. Since 2000, Peter has worked primarily with vegetables, generating the necessary data for the industry to access new pesticides.
In 2004, his company, AgAware Consulting, expanded its role—it now coordinates pesticide access and pesticide management issues on behalf of most horticulture industries. Peter has a particular interest in substituting currently-available older pesticides, for newer, reduced-risk pesticides with sound integrated pest management (IPM) profiles and international market acceptance.
Peter, on behalf of the vegetable industry, is now working with AgAware’s US counterpart, IR-4, to bring new pest management options to Australia sooner.
Des Jennings
As a member of the Fresh Potatoes Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) for more than 10 years and of the Seed Potatoes Victoria Council, Des Jennings has acted as a link between growers and emerging technologies and ideas.
In addition to these roles, Des is Chairman of the Victorian Potato Growers Council and sits on the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Horticultural Council and the VFF Water Policy Council. He has also been a director of AUSVEG.
Des is dedicated to the reproduction of seed—particularly multiplying, grading and storing varieties for South Australia, Queensland and Victoria. He uses his many connections among growers, industry leaders, business and politicians for the benefit of the industry as a whole.
Graeme Smith
After nine years as a hydroponic vegetable grower in Victoria’s Woodend, Graeme Smith opened Graeme Smith Consulting in 1998. The organisation offers crop-advisory services to more than 65 growers, and facilitated “Pathways to Production”, a training package for protected-cropping growers Australia-wide, which led to the development of the Greenhouse Passport as accreditation for growers.
The consultancy conducted a national review of the protected cropping industry, it offers advice about due diligence studies into new and expanding industry projects, and has conducted climate and financial studies for two Victorian municipalities.
Graeme is Chairman of the Protected Cropping Working Group and a member of the Production Advisory Group. He is also President of the Australian Hydroponic and Greenhouse Association.
