QUEENSLAND vegetable grower, Anthony Staatz, Koala Farms, took out this year’s prestigious Ausveg Grower of the Year award at Hort Connections 2017 in Adelaide last month.
The award was part of the Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner where more than 1200 attendees from the fresh produce supply chain gathered to celebrate.
Mr Staatz was recognised for his outstanding work across all aspects of vegetable production, including his drive to provide his employees with innovative technologies, plus effective and efficient systems to improve productivity.
Ausveg chief executive officer, James Whiteside, said everyone who was nominated for an award this year demonstrated their commitment to the industry and made a valuable contribution to its ongoing growth and success.
The award winners were:
- Fresh Markets Australia Meritorious Service - Trish Skinner
- Fresh Markets Australia Col Johnson Young Achievers Award - Peter Koukos
- Anthony Staatz, Qld – Grower of the Year (sponsored by Syngenta)
- Daniel Adams, Vic – Young Grower of the Year (sponsored by Dow AgroSciences)
- Michael Tran, Vic – Community Stewardship (sponsored by DuPont)
- Rijk Zwaan, Vic – Innovation Partner (sponsored by Boomaroo Nurseries)
- Matthew Stein, SA – Researcher of the Year (sponsored by Bayer)
- Lisa Brassington, Vic – Women in Horticulture (sponsored by Steritech)
- Hills Transplants, Tas – Environmental Award (sponsored by the Butler Market Gardens)
- Sundrop Farms, SA – Industry Impact (sponsored by Visy)
- Sumich, WA – NAB Agribusiness Exporter of the Year