Industry excellence to be recognised at the 2025 Horticulture Awards for Excellence

2 June 2025

Over 80 of the Australian horticulture industry’s finest growers, researchers, and innovators have been named as finalists across nine categories of the Horticulture Awards for Excellence 2025.

The awards recognise excellence and outstanding contributions from across the national industry, with finalists from all states and a range of different sectors nominated.

The awards ceremony will be held during the Hort Connections Gala Dinner held on Friday 6 June, marking the culmination of Hort Connections 2025 in Brisbane. As the Southern Hemisphere’s largest horticulture industry Conference, Hort Connections is jointly hosted by AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association Australia-New Zealand (IFPA ANZ). Hort Connections 2025 is being held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 4- 6 June, with delegates attending from around Australia, New Zealand, and the globe.

AUSVEG CEO Micheal Coote said: “This year’s award nominees represent the best and brightest of Australian horticulture, as well as the future. Their impressive achievements and contributions to the industry are an inspiration to us all, and I wish all nominees best of luck,”

IFPA ANZ Managing Director Belinda Wilson said: “Each year the Horticulture Awards for Excellence are an opportunity to acknowledge, recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of leading growers, businesses and individuals who make up Australia’s diverse horticulture industry. The fact we once again have a full field of deserving nominees, reflects the incredible achievements and extraordinary innovations that our sector continues to deliver.”

Horticulture Awards for Excellence 2025 finalists

Syngenta Grower of the Year

Bryce Henderson, FreshGro Australia, QLD
Brett Squibb, RW Squibb & Sons Pty Ltd, TAS
Cody Dennis, Cherry Creek Estate, QLD
Matt Kleyn, Lakeshore Farms, QLD
Jeremy Haw, Hussey & Co, VIC
Coby Badcock, Badcock Ag, TAS
Salvatore Leonardi, Cherry Creek Estate, QLD
Craig Van Rooyen, Van Rooyen Family Trust, QLD
Richard Gorman, Kalfresh Vegetables, QLD
Nathan Clackson, Barden Farms, QLD
Kerrie Galley, Costa, VIC
Darren Rathjen, Delta Produce, SA
Tripod Farmers Group, VIC

Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year

Bryce Henderson, FreshGro Australia, QLD
Oliver Rennie, Pacific Ag, NSW
Craig Dingle, Kalfresh Vegetables, QLD
Travis Georgopoulos, GV Independent Packers Pty Ltd, VIC
Cody Badcock, Badcock Ag, TAS
Salvatore Leonardi, Cherry Creek Estate, QLD
Jack Cafcakis, Cafcakis Nominees Pty Ltd, SA
Dr Chris Cannizzaro, Macadamia Farm Management Pty Ltd, QLD
Anthony De leso, Thorndon Park Produce, SA
Ty Dickson, April Sun Farms Pty Ltd, VIC
Paul Cafcakis, Cafcakis Produce, SA
Dean Gazzola, Gazzola Farms, VIC

Bayer Researcher of the Year

Dr Audrey Leo, Simplot Australia Pty Ltd, VIC
Hannah James, AgroFresh, VIC
Andrew Macnish, Qld Department of Primary Industry, QLD
Thomas Jeffries, Elders, SA
Penny Measham, Qld Department of Primary Industries, QLD
Austin Reid, Rural Business Support, SA

Butler Market Gardens Environment & Sustainability

Bryce Henderson, FreshGro, QLD
Troy Qualischefski, Qualipac, QLD
Angela Candelaro, Tripod Farmers Group, VIC
Kevin Montagu, Colo Consulting, NSW
Cody Dennis, Cherry Creek Estate, QLD
Detpak, Detpak, SA
Cynthia Tago, Nutrano Produce Group-Abbotsleigh Farm, QLD
Flavorite, Flavorite, VIC

UPL Tech Innovation Award

Imran Raza, Agri Smart, Aus/NZ
Greg Calvert, FreshChain Systems, NSW
Troy Qualischefski, Qualipac, QLD
Andrew Young Queensland Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries Cooperative Ltd (Brismark), QLD
Matt Flowerday, LandKind, New Zealand
Charles Simons, BioScout Australia, NSW
James Loechel, Talia Farms, SA
Ty Dickson, April Sun Farms Pty Ltd, VIC
Thomas Jefferies, Elders, SA

Muirs Community Stewardship Award