Organic award finalists inspire growing industry

A market gardener, a TAFE educator, and a producer of organic winegrapes, olives and figs have been selected as the three finalists in the inaugural 2012 NSW Organic Pioneers Award.

“A top field of applicants across a broad cross-section of the organic industry applied to enter the inaugural NSW Organic Pioneers Award,” said NSW DPI’s Deputy Director General Agriculture NSW Michael Bullen.

“The entrants exemplified the achievements of those in the organic industry who have shown innovation and who actively practice and promote the principles and benefits of organic food and farming systems.

“The three judges described all entrants as exceptional and their decision as a difficult one.”

The finalists in line for the prestigious award to be announced on July 19 are:

• Rob Fenton, Albury: Rob is head teacher at the National Environment Centre (NEC), a specialist campus of Riverina Institute of TAFE who established and runs the certified organic farm at the NEC and the organic farming teaching program. The 180 ha NEC organic farm produces lamb, free range pork, chicken and eggs, olives, vegetables, herbs and honey.
• Sam Statham, Canowindra: Sam’s family business ‘Rosnay’ is a certified organic farm producing winegrapes (20ha vineyard), olives (10ha) and figs (1ha). Value added products include wine, olives in brine, olive paste, figs in syrup, fig preserve, and fig syrup.
• Joyce Wilkie and Michael Plane, Gundaroo: Joyce and Michael have turned their smallarea organic farm into a thriving vegetable, fruit, egg and tool business that has inspired and helped other gardeners and farmers to grow organically – and supported a family and modern lifestyle for three decades.

The 2012 Organic Pioneers Award winner will be announced at Sydney’s SUSTAIN Expo (formerly the Organic Expo and Green Show) at Moore Park on July 19.

The winner will receive a travel bursary to the value of $6,000 to investigate organic enterprises or research facilities of their choosing.

Judges for the Award are Professor Stuart Hill (Uni of Western Sydney); Andre Leu (Chair of the Organic Federation of Australian, OFA); and David Mason (NSW DPI Urban Agriculture Leader).

The NSW Organic Pioneers Award is coordinated by NSW Department of Primary Industries. Gold sponsors for the event are the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) and the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA). Other supporters of the event include the Organic Federation of Australia, the Organic Food Chain; the NSW regional food group, the Sapphire Coast Producers Association; as well as Telstra Country, Macro Wholefoods and WFI Insurance.

Note: Detailed profiles of finalists available on request from phil.bevan@dpi.nsw.gov.au

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