Over 100 of Australian horticulture’s best and brightest growers, researchers, and innovators have been announced as finalists in what is shaping as a hotly-contested Horticulture Awards for Excellence 2026.

Hort Connections 2025 Gala Dinner and Awards for Excellence.

The nominees across 12 categories hail from all states and cover a wide range of industry sectors, supply chain business and participants. All have been nominated for their significant achievements and contributions to Australian horticulture.

The awards ceremony will be held at the Hort Connections Gala Dinner on Thursday 4 June at the Adelaide Convention Centre, as a fitting conclusion to Hort Connections 2026. Hort Connections is the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest horticulture industry conference, and is jointly hosted by AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association Australia-New Zealand (IFPA ANZ). The event will run from 1 – 4 June with farm tours, networking opportunities, a world-class trade show and presentations from leading Australian and international experts on the hottest topics, issues and innovations in horticulture. Delegates will attend from across Australia, New Zealand and the globe.

AUSVEG CEO Micheal Coote said: “A full field of more than 100 worthy nominees across 12 categories for this year’s Horticulture Awards for Excellence serves as a timely reminder that our industry continues to produce so many inspring contributors and innovators. A big congratulations to all nominees, and best of luck for the big night at this year’s Gala Dinner.”

IFPA ANZ Managing Director Belinda Wilson said: “Every year the Horticulture Awards for Excellence provide an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the many extraordinary achievements of growers, businesses and individuals working across our diverse horticulture industries. With so many deserving nominees in 2026, this year’s awards ceremony is certain to produce another crop of worthy and inspiring winners.”

Horticulture Awards for Excellence 2026 finalists

Grower of the Year partnered by Syngenta

• Brent Reeve – Redland Fruit
• Craig Van Rooyen – Van Rooyen Family Trust
• Fabian Guidotto – Gino’s Nursery
• Jane Vassallo – Gourmet Herbs
• Joseph Trimboli – GTS Farms
• Mario Casotti – Casotti Group
• Scott Stevenson – AJ & AM Stevenson
• Stephane Frichot – Centerwest
• Steve Marafiote – Sundrop Farms
• Val Micallef – Alandale Produce

Young Grower of the Year partnered by Corteva Agriscience

• Angelo Shwebeth – SA Fresh Harvest
• Arseneos Arharidis – Arharidis Fresh
• Chris Cannizzaro – Macadamia Farm Management Pty Ltd
• Damien Silm – Cedar Creek Orchards
• Evan Braham – Braham Produce
• Jaspreet Mann – Montague Farms
• Johnny Nguyen – HHH Pty Ltd
• Luca Farmer – Farmer Group
• Miles & Clayton Donovan – The Donovan Group

Researcher of the Year partnered by Bayer

• Ben Evert – Metagen
• Jane Parker – McCormick Foods/Gourmet Garden
• John Golding – Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development NSW
• Dr Mike Rettke – South Australian Research and Development Institute
• Nancy Schellhorn – RapidAIM
• Paul Palmer – Palmer Produce Management
• Richarda Jost – La Trobe University
• Sukhvinder Pal Singh – NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
• Tamieka Pearce – Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture
• Waterfind Australia – Water Study Work
• Zhong-Hua Chen – Adelaide University

Environmental & Sustainability Award partnered by Butler Market Gardens

• Craig Van Rooyen – Van Rooyen Family Trust
• Isaac Sandercock – Propak Industries Pty Ltd
• Jane Parker – McCormick Foods/Gourmet Garden
• Liam Van Schaik – Van Schaik’s Bio Gro
• Lisa Solomons – Viscount
• Sam Nastasi – C & L Nastasi and Sons Pty
• Val and Sam Micallef – Alandale Produce

Tech Innovation Award partnered by UPL

• Charles Simons – Bioscout
• Leneila Lynne & Justin Koschitzke – Acumind.AI
• Lisa Solomons – Viscount
• Nancy Schellhorn – RapidAIM
• Roei Yonai – Netafim ANZ

Community Stewardship Award partnered by Muirs

• Bob & Judith Brinsmead – Tropical Fruit World
• Damien Silm – Cedar Creek Orchards
• Greensill Farming – Green Solutions Wide Bay
• Joanne Tingey-Holyoak – Adelaide University School of Accounting and Finance
• John Tselekidis – Mitolo Family Farms
• Joseph Younes – Perfection Fresh
• Julian Horsley – A & D Australasia Pty Ltd
• Sam Nastasi – C & L Nastasia and Sons Pty

Exporter of the Year partnered by Hort Innovation

• Antony Allen – The Avolution
• Anthony Poiner – Fresh Produce Group
• Francis Tedesco – Centerwest Exports
• Jordan Bain – Redland Fruits
• Marquis Macadamias – Marquis Macadamias
• Matthew Benham – Top Citrus
• Nicolas Ktoris – Sentek Technologies
• Rebecca Blackman – WA Farm Direct

Women in Horticulture partnered by NAB

• Dr Anita Marquart – Biological Service
• Connie Taylor – Taylors Family Produce
• Georgia Stormont – Curious Georgia Coaching
• Gianna Russo – Adelaide Hydrofresh
• Helen Aggeletos – Venus Citrus Pty Ltd
• Jane Parker – McCormick Foods/Gourmet Garden
• Jane Vassallo – Gourmet Herbs
• Joanne Tingey-Holyoak – Adelaide University
• Johanna Brighenti-Barnard – Sumar Produce
• Julie Bird – Hort Innovation
• Leeanne Scott – Scott Brothers
• Leneila Lynne – Acumind.AI
• Michelle Towers – Elders
• Miriam Villen King – Stahmann Webster
• Monika Fiebig – Monika’s Organics
• Nardia Stacy – Pomewest
• Paula Whitchuch – Nutrano Produce Group
• Zurriyet Braham – Braham Produce

Industry Impact Award partnered by VISY

• A & D Australasia – Precision Standards to Minimise Packhouse Waste
• Biological Services – Safeguarding Trade Under Statewide Serpentine Leafminer Response
• David Harris – Harris Farm Markets
• Jane Parker – McCormick Foods/Gourmet Garden
• Julian Horsley – A & D Australasia Pty Ltd
• Mark and Damien Slim – Creek Orchard – Juice Crushing
• Mellor Olsson Lawyers – Succession Management Masterclasses
• Monika Fiebig – Monika’s Organics
• Mulgowie Farming Company – Mulgowie
• Netafim Australia – Netafim Australia