From Greece to Shepparton: Travis Georgopoulos’ family have built an empire
Shepparton’s Travis Georgopoulos says farming with his family is a career highlight, alongside winning a top apple and pear industry award.
Farming with his brothers has been a career highlight for Shepparton’s Travis Georgopoulos.
“When I went away from the farms for a short period of time, I realised it was where home is and what I wanted to be doing,” the fourth-generation farmer said.
“I left school and came in to work with my brothers, and saw the rapid growth from then to now.”
Travis is now orchard manager at GV Independent Packers, a family business started in 1948 when his grandparents first migrated from Greece.
He manages the 560ha farm of mostly apples and pears with a keen focus on integrated pest and disease management.
Ladybirds and predatory mites controlled orchard pests and reduced chemical use, while sustainability focuses led to solar panels and labour cost reduction meant robotic packers and stackers.
“Our business is fully integrated between orchards and coolroom storage, packing and transporting, across those lines we’ve been up to date with the latest technology,” Travis said.
“At the moment we’re getting it right with what we’ve got. We’re really nailing the new practices and getting them right for the future.”
He often attended industry events when possible, and recently attended Hort Connections in Brisbane to broaden his knowledge and bring more ideas back to the farm.
He planned to continue upgrading infrastructure and technology where possible, and ready the farm for the fifth generation.
For his efforts, Travis recently received Apple and Pear Australia Limited’s industry rising star award.
Meanwhile, AgroFresh’s Hannah James was another Victorian winner, taking home the research and extension provider of the year award, and Prest Bros Orchards’ Shane Priest for marketer of the year.
Tasmanian grower Brett Squibb won grower of the year.
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