Hort Connections: Meet the next generation of industry leaders
Two Victorian growers have been recognised for their contribution to the horticulture sector at an upcoming awards ceremony.
Georgia Beattie was new to the agriculture industry when she bought her mushroom farm, Bulla Park, more than six years ago.
Now, she is one of nine young horticulture leaders nominated for a national award recognising the efforts of the next generation in the sector.
“It was a complete career change, I was in tech and start-ups,” Ms Beattie said.
Her nomination for the Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year Award is off the back of years of work in sustainable practices on-farm, and her involvement with the National Farmers Federation climate change and sustainability committee.
“It’s important to have these discussions with the next generation of farmers, and to be the change they want to see in the world,” she said.
She remains optimistic for a sustainable future for horticulture, particularly off the back of the success and dedication of her fellow young producers.
“That’s why I want to open my doors up, it requires different thinking, and this generation needs to move the dial in a significant way.”
Schreurs and Sons’ Lachlan Schreurs from Victoria has also been nominated, for his efforts as field operations manager, leading crucial aspects of production at his family’s third-generation vegetable farm, where they grow celery, leek, and baby leaf lines at Clyde, south of Melbourne.
Last year, Lachlan won the AusVeg Vic Young Person in Horticulture award.
Corteva Agriscience marketing manager Nick Koch said the nominees represented the next generation of horticultural leaders, and possessed deep knowledge, innovative thinking, and a commitment to more sustainable farming practices.
“We have an outstanding field of nominees from across the nation, some of whom are already leaders and others who are showing exceptional promise,” Mr Koch said.
“It’s exciting to bring them together so they can share knowledge and build a network they can draw on as they progress through their careers.
“I’m looking forward to meeting all our worthy finalists at Hort Connections in Melbourne and seeing who is crowned the Young Grower of the Year.”
The winner will be announced at the Hort Connections gala on Wednesday night.
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