Nominations have opened for the Australian vegetable and potato industries’ landmark event, which would recognise excellence and innovation within the vegetable and potato sectors of the horticulture industry, AUSVEG Chairman John Brent said.
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Mr Brent said that the 2011 awards would be particularly significant given the challenges vegetable and potato growers have dealt with in the past 12 months.
“Whether it be the extreme wet weather and floods across the eastern states which have made harvesting tough, drought in the west, or record numbers of locusts preying on our crops, vegetable and potato growers have shown they are some of the most resilient and hard working people in Australia,” he said.
“These awards will recognise the hard work of those individuals and companies within the vegetable and potato industries, whose dedication has made our industry what it is today.”
The National Awards for Excellence will be held in conjunction with the 2011 AUSVEG National Convention in Brisbane from 14-16 April at the Sebel-Citigate Hotel.
“This year we are pleased to announce an additional two categories have been included; the Environmental Award and the Rising Star of the Year,” Mr Brent said.
“The Environmental Award will celebrate an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to implementing sustainable farming practices. The Rising Star of the Year will celebrate a future leader of the industry and recognize their efforts made now that would normally go unmentioned,” he said.
AFL legend Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico will emcee the event on Saturday, 16 April.
Nominations in the following award categories close on 4 March 2011:
- Grower of the Year – sponsored by Syngenta
- Young Grower of the Year – sponsored by Dow AgroSciences
- Industry Impact Award – sponsored by Boomaroo Nurseries
- Industry Recognition Award
- Productivity Partner Award – sponsored by Elders
- Innovative Marketing Award
- Women in Horticulture Award
- Researcher of the Year – sponsored by Bayer CropScience
- Environmental Award
- Rising Star of the Year
AUSVEG is the national peak industry body representing the interests of around 9,000 vegetable and potato growers around Australia.
Nomination forms are available by contacting AUSVEG on (03) 9822 0388, emailing info@ausveg.com.au or by visiting www.ausveg.com.au/convention.
