Nominations open for National Awards to recognise excellence within the Australian horticulture industry

31 March 2022

Nominations are open for the Australian horticulture industry’s most prestigious recognition, the National Awards for Excellence, which recognise outstanding contributions that individuals and companies make to the nation’s fruit, vegetable, nursery and cut floral sectors.

The annual awards, which will be presented on Wednesday 8 June 2022 during the Hort Connections 2022 Gala Dinner, cover a range of areas in horticulture, including recognising remarkable growers in multiple categories, as well as researchers, sustainability practices, innovative agribusinesses and the industry’s leading exporters. The Hort Connections Gala Dinner is sponsored by Costa Group.

There are 10 awards categories that will be presented as part of the National Awards for Excellence, including the highly coveted Syngenta Grower of the Year, Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year and Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture awards.

“The National Awards for Excellence provide an opportunity for the industry to come together to recognise the outstanding accomplishments of our leading growers and industry members, and celebrate the exceptional work that our industry undertakes to keep Australia healthy and safe,” said AUSVEG National Marketing Manager Nathan McIntyre.

“These awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise the passion and resilience shown by growers and others working within the vegetable, fruit, nut and flower growing industries, who work tirelessly behind the scenes in putting food on the table for Australian families.

“With many growers finding it increasingly difficult to find time away from their farms and their businesses, the Hort Connections Gala Dinner is the industry’s chance to come together and acknowledge the successes of its leading members and provide much-needed support to peers and colleagues who have faced significant challenges over the last two years.”

More information on the National Awards for Excellence, including details on nominations, can be found on the Hort Connections website at hortconnections.com.au. Hort Connections 2022 will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 6-8 June 2022.

KEY POINTS:

Hort Connections 2022, co-hosted by AUSVEG and International Fresh Produce Association Australia – New Zealand (IFPA) is the premiere event for the Australian horticulture industry, featuring the largest horticulture industry trade show in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hort Connections will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 6-8 June 2022 and will celebrate the horticulture industry, bringing together members from right across the vegetable, fruit, nursery and cut floral sectors.

There are 10 award categories open for nominations in the National Awards for Excellence (listed below).

Nominations can be made online and close 5pm AEST 15 April 2022 com.au/hort-awards

Hort Connections will cater to all members of the horticulture industry, from primary producers to retailers and the entire supply chain.

The theme for Hort Connections 2022 – Growing Together – will highlight the importance for every sector of the horticulture industry to come together to build a stronger more resilient food system to feed local and international consumers.

National Awards for Excellence 2022 categories: