Just days after being named Grower of the Year in June at the 2026 Horticulture Awards for Excellence, the South Australian-based Sundrop Farms CEO and co-owner was also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his contribution to Australian agriculture.

Marafiote was announced as the Grower of the Year award winner at the culmination of the Hort Connections Gala Dinner on 4 June in Adelaide.

“I am very overwhelmingly happy to receive it. I think it’s not just for me, it’s for the whole team actually,” Marafiote said.

The Grower of the Year award, partnered by Syngenta, recognises excellence across all aspects of modern horticultural production, including growing practices, product quality, environmental management, staff leadership and industry contribution.

The back-to-back accolades are a well-deserved acknowledgment of the value of significant contributions to, and engagement with the vegetable and horticulture industry, as well as recognition of the crucial role the sector plays in the wider Australian community.

Sundrop Farms

Sundrop Farms is one of Australia’s leading protected cropping enterprises, operating a 20-hectare high-tech greenhouse in Port Augusta. Under Marafiote’s leadership, the business has grown into a major national supplier of greenhouse-grown truss and specialty produce, while building a reputation for innovation, sustainability and operational excellence. He leads a diverse and multidisciplinary team and has fostered strong relationships with major retailers and industry stakeholders.

Reflecting on the company’s achievements, Marafiote said: “I think the business has shown a lot of leadership in the fact that we’ve explored new technologies with sustainable agriculture and concentrated solar power. We started from scratch and the team has done a really good job of making all that happen.”

Leading sustainable horticulture

Sustainability has proven to be a hallmark of Marafiote’s leadership. Sundrop Farms is recognised as a pioneer in the production of high-value horticultural crops using renewable resources, with a mission to benefit both the environment and the local community.

The company’s high-tech greenhouses harness solar energy to generate electricity and produce fresh water for irrigation, while creating a natural barrier against pests and diseases. This approach significantly reduces water consumption, minimises fertiliser use and eliminates the need for insecticides.

“Since we’re putting no pressure on town water, ground water or river water… that, we think, is really valuable for people,” Marafiote noted.

His work in this space is driven by his desire to leave a meaningful legacy for generations to come: “Anything you can do to make Australia better, to ensure the children have a better future in their own backyard, I think that’s the goal.”

Championing the industry

But the Grower of the Year award also recognises leadership beyond the farm gate, highlighting contributions to the broader industry – values that resonate strongly with Marafiote.

“I really strongly believe in the industry… it’s the sort of industry you want to get involved in. And we owe it to make the industry better, if we can,” he said.

A respected advocate for protected cropping, Marafiote has served on several advisory boards, including the South Australian Premier’s Food Council. He is widely regarded for his contribution to the development of South Australia’s protected cropping sector and his willingness to share his expertise for the benefit of the wider industry.

His leadership was particularly evident during the Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) outbreak, where he played an active role in industry engagement and response efforts. Sundrop Farms was also among the first greenhouse operations in Australia to achieve Pest Free Place of Production certification, with Marafiote openly sharing lessons learned with both industry and government to strengthen biosecurity outcomes across the sector.

To young people considering getting into the industry, Marafiote advised: “I’d most definitely say get involved because it’s the most dynamic and rewarding industry you’ll be involved in.”

“You’ll test yourself in every aspect of business from growing, managing people, sales, marketing, computer science, engineering and financing. You’ll get to test every component.”

“You’re also supplying humans with core needs, which is food. Not only that, but healthy food, and there is no industry that can provide a better product than the horticulture industry.”

Medal of the Order of Australia

Just days after receiving the Grower of the Year award, Marafiote received further recognition when he was awarded an OAM on 8 June for his services to agriculture. This honour acknowledges individuals who have made outstanding contributions within their profession and delivered lasting benefits to their communities. It celebrates those who go above and beyond to improve the lives of others and create a positive impact.

“One of the objectives of my life is to have a good name that opens doors and gives opportunities to my children… and so, the OAM has a deep and meaningful fulfillment for me.”

Together, the two awards reflect Marafiote’s enduring impact on Australian horticulture. Through innovation, engagement, collaboration and a commitment to industry and community advancement, he has helped shape the future of protected cropping while setting a benchmark for excellence across the sector.