South Australia’s leading growers, researchers and industry members have been recognised at the 2022 AUSVEG SA and William Buck Vegetable Industry Awards for Excellence, showcasing their exemplary contributions to support South Australia’s $2 billion vegetable sector.

More than 280 growers and industry members gathered at the Arkaba Hotel on Wednesday 25 May 2022 to celebrate the achievements of members of the state’s vegetable and wider horticulture industry, and showcase their leadership, dedication and innovation.

The awards were attended by a number of leading industry and political figures including the Hon Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regions, the Hon Nicola Centofanti, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Regions, Adrian Pederick MP, The Hon Tim Whetstone MP and SA Best’s Frank Pangallo MLC who all turned out to see the announcement of this year’s winners.

The winners of the 2022 Vegetable Industry Awards for Excellence are as follows:

• Emmanuel Cafcakis, Cafcakis Nominees Pty Ltd, Grower of the Year (proudly sponsored by Peats Soil)
• Damian Manno, Quality Harvest, Young Grower of the Year (proudly sponsored by the SA Produce Market)
• Steve Coventry, Bugs for Bugs, Industry Impact Award (proudly sponsored by William Buck)
• Jordy Kitschke, Flux Robotics, Researcher of the Year (proudly sponsored by Rabobank)
• Phuong Le, Women in Horticulture Award (proudly sponsored by the Department of Primary Industry and Regions SA)
• Anthony De Ieso, Thorndon Park Produce, Biosecurity Award (proudly sponsored by the Department of Primary Industry and Regions SA)

“After a tough year of challenges such as hailstorms, increasing costs of production and worker shortages, the AUSVEG SA and William Buck Vegetable Industry Awards for Excellence are a fantastic opportunity for industry to come together and celebrate the people who make our industry great,” AUSVEG SA CEO Jordan Brooke-Barnett said.

“In the past year our South Australian growers have worked harder than ever to keep fresh produce on tables throughout Australia and it is great to see so many of our leaders get recognised at these important awards for industry.”

“I’d like to congratulate every individual and business who was nominated and recognised at the awards and thank them for their continued dedication to our industry.”

The winners will be nominated as the AUSVEG SA state-endorsed nominees for their respective categories at the National Awards for Excellence, to be held during the Hort Connections 2022 conference at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 6-8 June 2022.

In previous years a number of AUSVEG SA state award winners have gone on to win a number of key national awards, showing the quality and capability of growers in the state.

The Hon. Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regions was on-hand to present a number of key awards on the night including the Grower of the Year Award, Young Grower of the Year Award, Women in Horticulture Award and Biosecurity Award.

The Minister congratulated this year’s winners and said that the South Australian vegetable industry was an agricultural success story in the face of unprecedented challenges over the past year.

“I congratulate this year’s exceptional group of nominees and winners who showcases the talent and capability we have in our South Australian Agriculture sector,” Minister Scriven said.

“I am constantly amazed by the resilience of our South Australian horticulture sector and am excited by what the future holds with so many emerging leaders in the state. As Minister I am proud to represent horticulture and agriculture more broadly as a key economic driver and excited to work with the sector in the coming years.”

AUSVEG SA is the leading horticulture industry body representing the interests of vegetable producers in South Australia and provides growers with a united voice and strong representation with all levels of government.

For photographs of the awards ceremony or to request more information or an interview with award winners, please contact AUSVEG SA using the details below.

AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote, AUSVEG National Public Affairs Manager Tyson Cattle, AUSVEG International Trade Specialist Andrea Lin, AUSVEG Chair Bill Bulmer, AUSVEG Board member Renee Pye attended the AUSVEG SA 2022 Vegetable Industry Awards for Excellence dinner.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jordan Brooke-Barnett, AUSVEG SA CEO

Mobile: 0404 772 308, Email: jordan.brooke-barnett@ausveg.com.au

Images courtesy: asbCreative